InternationalZooNews

Vol. 60/4(No. 401)July/August 2013

ALPZA’s Contribution to Conservation

Mobile Animal Presentation in Hannover Zoo

Food Enrichment for the Malayan Sunbear

Lord Howe Island Stick Insect

INTERNATIONAL ZOO NEWSA magazine for the exchange of news, information and ideas between the zoos and aquariums of the world.

Published by Quantum Conservation e.V., Am Stadtrand 49 b, D-26127 Oldenburg, Germany.Editor: Richard PerronIZN Office: 6 Winchester House, Bishops Walk, Aylesbury HP21 7LD, U.K.Tel.: ++44(0)121 288 7915E-mail: office@izn.org.ukWebsite: http//www.izn.org.uk

International Zoo News is published six times a year; the approximate publication dates are mid-February, mid-April, mid-June, mid-August, mid-October and mid-December.

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CONTENTSINTERNATIONAL ZOO NEWS Vol. 60/4 (No. 401) July/August 2013

EDITORIAL 241

FEATURE ARTICLES

A Conservation Programme for the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect (Dryococelus australis) At Melbourne Zoo 244Rohan Cleave, Kate Pearce, Peter Courtney & Hans van Weerd

The Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums - ALPZA 253

ALPZA’s Contribution to Conservation in Latin America 254Jacome, N. L., Barros, Y., Bairrão Ruivo, E., Cruz, J. B., Righi, C., Hidalgo, E., Carrillo, L. & Astore, V.

‘Das große Kribbeln’, Mobile Animal Presentation in Hannover Zoo 262Fabian Krause

Food Enrichment for the Malayan Sunbear at Singapore Zoo 276Diana Marlena, Gaytri Meriange and John Sha Chih Mun

Recent Births 287

Memories of Theodore (“Ted”) H. Reed, DVM 288William A. Xanten and Judith Block

Letter to the Editor 294

Book Review 296

International Zoo News 300

Recent Articles 310

Cover photo: John Sha Chih Mun, Singapore Zoo

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International Zoo News Vol. 60, No. 4 (2013), pp. 241-242

EDITORIAL It is probably true that most people go to the zoo mainly for entertainment and

relaxation and not to be educated or become involved in conservation. ‘Seeing the animals’ is sufficient justification for a visit and that experience will be enhanced by a reasonably priced restaurant, clean toilet facilities, a rest area, a safe playground for children and any interaction with polite and informative zoo staff.

Whatever the size or focus, the zoo, animal park, bird park, aquarium or whatever, must pay attention to these basic issues if it is to remain in business, to be profitable and to be a popular attraction.

However, the modern zoo institution has assumed, or should have assumed, an obligation to educate about biodiversity, to be active in conservation and/or to engage in scientific research. These features are less easy to integrate into a visitor’s experience and are frequently given low priority, if given any attention at all.

Ideally, the zoo structures its message so it is an integral part of the display and difficult for the visitor not to draw appropriate conclusions. Communicating to the public requires some thought because language fluency, age and cultural background play a role in how the message is received. In addition, it is important that the visitor feels the message is relevant to their own life and needs.

Since 2004 the Nature Conservancy has focused on the language used to build support for conservation and their 2013 report makes the following recommendations.

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Despite the good intentions, there is an element of dumbing down the audience. It may be true that the majority of visitors are not university graduates, but neither are they hill-billies untouched by the mass media vocabulary.

What these recommendations do illustrate is the problem of semantics, which, because of the variety of English speaking countries, the context is very much dependent on education and culture. Not only should the language be tailored to the country, but also to the regional population with any ethnic or religious element catered for. Perhaps, where a high proportion of the visitors have English as a second language, some signage should also be in a suitable language, such as Spanish, Urdu or Hindi for example. The use of pictorial graphics to illustrate environmental problems and solutions can also be an effective way to reach an audience without making them feel they are in a lecture hall. Every seed you plant takes a little time to grow.

You will have noticed the inclusion in this issue of an article about the conservation efforts of South American zoos with a brief overview of ALPZA, the regional zoo organisation. Partly because of the problem of translation, we know very little about what sort of zoos there are in South America and what they do.

One of the things which impressed me is the focus their conservation efforts have on their own local species. They actively incorporate local communities in their programmes and utilise them to further species conservation and protection. As I said in the last issue, it is high time the conservation of local animals and plants, not to forget fish and invertebrates, were given more priority by zoos in their collections and breeding programmes. It may be a sacred tenet that a zoo must have a certain selection of animals to be acknowledged and popular, but this is surely just dogma and disproved by many zoos whose collections do not include elephants, lions, tigers or giraffes. Presentation is the important factor.

It is noteworthy in this respect that Bristol Zoo, the oldest provincial zoo in England, is opening a new exhibit this year, “Wild Place”, which is essentially a walk through nature trail featuring endemic British species. Because of space restrictions, this city zoo has created their new exhibit some 6 miles away from the main collection. Some other city zoos, Frankfurt?, might take notice of expansion possibilities.

Something I missed in the last issue was to give the proper credit for the Amur tiger photo on page 232. This should have said that this fantastic shot of a tiger in snow was from Leipzig Zoo in 2004. Well done Leipzig!

Richard Perron

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A CONSERVATION PROGRAMME FOR THE LORD HOWE ISLAND STICK INSECT (Dryococelus australis) AT MELBOURNE ZOO.By Rohan Cleave, Kate Pearce, Peter Courtney & Hans van Weerd

The Lord Howe Island stick insect (Dryococelus australis) (LHISI) from Lord Howe Island, Australia, is the most endangered phasmid in the world. The IUCN Red List classifies them as Critically Endangered1, as does the 1999 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation of Australia (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, 2013)2. The state of New South Wales’ Threatened Species Conservation Act in 20123 proposed to classify them as endangered.

LHISI are fairly large-sized phasmids, with males reaching 120 mm and females 150 mm at adulthood (Figs. 1a and 1b).

Fig. 1a: Male LHISI Fig. 1b: Female LHISIPhotos: Rohan Cleave

International Zoo News Vol. 60, No. 4 (2013), pp. 244-252

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LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS

- Customised complete Live Support Systems - Cooling units

- Light systems, Metal Halide, T5 Fluorescent or LED - Protein skimmer

- Complete electronic control sets, including PLC control system - UV-C steriliser

- Electronic measuring and control systems - Biofilter

Customized completeLife Support Systems

Customizedsea salt mixtures

The Aqua Medic product range includes hardware like complete marine design aquariums with filtration systems, lightings, electronic controls and pumps, but as well consumable products like sea salt from our own production, activated carbon, coral sand, hydrocarbonate and other filter media, additives and trace elements in small and larger packages for salt- and freshwater aquarium. We develope complete aquarium technic and decoration.

AB Aqua Medic GmbH | Gewerbepark 24 | 49143 Bissendorf, Germany | Phone +49 (0) 5402 99110 | Fax +49 (0) 5402 991119

www.aqua-medic.de | professional@aqua-medic.de

Professional Equipment

The professional branch is manufacturing products for public aquariums and bio labs. Our main products are:

Both sexes are black at maturity and can most easily be separated by the two large spines on the hind femur of the male (absent in females) and the ovipositor underneath the last abdominal segment in the females (Figs. 2a and 2b). Upon hatching LHISI are pale green (Fig. 3). Young are diurnal and adults nocturnal. Their lifespan is around 18 months. LHISI inhabit forests and tree hollows and feed on leaves (Honan et al, 2007; Honan, 2008).

Fig. 2a: Male abdomen Fig. 2b: Female abdomen

Fig. 3: Hatchling LHISIAll Photos Rohan Cleave

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Lord Howe Island lies 770 km off the Australian coast, to the north-east of Sydney (Fig. 4) and measures some 1455 ha. Lord Howe Island is managed by the Lord Howe Island Board, but administratively part of the Australian state of New South Wales. It has a population of 300.

Fig. 4: Lord Howe Island

At one time LHISI was so common on the island that they were used as bait for fishing. In 1918 the 1200 ton supply ship Makambo ran aground and was stuck for 9 days near a beach on Lord Howe Island. She was eventually towed back to Sydney, but ship rats (Rattus rattus) managed to escape onto the Island. As the rat population increased the LHISI decreased in numbers such that by the 1930s they were considered very rare if not already extinct.

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Fortunately, in the second half of the 20th century LHISI were found to still exist on a nearby islet. In 2001 their presence on Balls Pyramid – a 550m high rock-stack 23 km south-east of Lord Howe Island (Fig. 5) - was officially confirmed by the sighting

2 adult females and 1 nymph. In subsequent years, surveys yielded observed numbers of adult LHISI ranging from 17 to 25 (60-80% female) with occasionally nymphs. Few visits have been made since 2007, but the wild population on Ball’s Pyramid is presently considered to count less than 40 individuals, that all share a single bush of Lord Howe Island melaleuca (Melaleuca howeana) covering 30 m x 10 m as their day-time refuge. The animals supposedly feed on seven more bushes at night (Priddel et al, 2003 Carlile et al, 2009), making Howe Island melaleuca their sole food plant (Fig. 6).

The LHISI’s last refuge on Balls Pyramid is a fragile, tiny habitat and vulnerable to disturbances of all sorts (climbers, collectors, landslides, catastrophic weather events). The death of their sole food plants

or arrival of rats by sea or boats will be disastrous. In 2003 a rescue team was sent to Ball’s Pyramid to collect LHISI and commence a captive breeding program to save the species. The team returned to the Australian mainland with two breeding pairs, one of which was entrusted to Melbourne Zoo. The other pair, sent to a private NSW holder, unfortunately did not survive. Key objectives of the Melbourne Zoo program were to conduct intensive research into the diet, behavior, biology and genetics and to maintain a captive insurance population with the ability to reintroduce LHISI once rats would have been eradicated from Lord Howe Island. Fig. 6: Melaleuca howeana shrub on slope of Ball’s Pyramid

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In Melbourne Zoo captive breeding occurs in greenhouses, which are heated and maintained at over 80% humidity. LHISI are allowed to browse on cut tree lucerne (Chamaecytisus palmensis) and potted Lord Howe Island melaleuca grown on zoo grounds. Animals are provided with nesting boxes, sand trays for egg laying and water dishes. A sample of eggs laid weekly is measured and weighed and incubated. Incubating eggs are buried in vermiculite until hatching, after 6-9 months. The first hatching at the Zoo occurred on 7 September 2003. To date over 9500 eggs have hatched. At any one time Melbourne Zoo holds an average of 500 adults. Parthenogenesis in LHISI has been confirmed. A study on mate choice indicated that hatching success is influenced by mate choice (Lambert, 2012). Further studies will focus on browse preference studies.

Starting in 2011, LHISI eggs have been sent to overseas zoos, to raise awareness and to establish separate insurance populations. The first zoos to receive eggs were those of Budapest (Hungary) and of San Diego (USA). Hatching occurred but on growing proved difficult, presumably related to browse preferences and further research is needed. These efforts will hopefully lay the foundation for overseas regional breeding programs (EAZA, AZA) to complement the Australasian regional program. In 2012 LHISI was declared a program species (Australasian Species Management Program) of the Australasian Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA), coordinated by first author Rohan Cleave. Other zoos both in North-America and Europe have declared an interest in acquiring the species and participating in a future breeding program.

In 2007, twenty LHISI that had been born and raised at Melbourne Zoo were returned to Lord Howe Island and established in a newly completed breeding centre. Since then, this captive population has grown to 130 animals.

Concurrent with establishing captive breeding at Melbourne Zoo and on Lord Howe Island, initiatives were developed to prepare for a possible restoration of Lord Howe Island’s flora and fauna, including reintroduction of LHISI. Recovery actions were defined (Priddel et al, 2002) and a Biodiversity Management Plan was drawn up (Department of the Environment and Climate Change New South Wales, 2007) addressing issues like quarantine, protection of existing native vegetation, eradication and control of weeds, revegetation of priority sites, control and/or eradication of introduced vertebrate and invertebrate fauna, captive breeding and reintroductions, survey of potential habitats and community awareness. The Lord Howe Island Board proposed a Rodent Eradication Plan (Lord Howe Island Board, 2009) to eradicate house mice (Mus musculus) and ship rats while minimizing adverse impacts on the environment including: non-target species, humans, livestock and pets. In July 2012, Australia’s Federal and State (NSW) Environmental Ministers jointly announced that ‘Rats that have for decades plagued Lord Howe Island and killed off native animals will be wiped out under a $9 million plan ’. It seems all is poised for a return of LHISI to Lord Howe Island.

In South-eastern Australia, twenty terrestrial animal species are teetering on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss, feral animals, landscape fragmentation, disease

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and climate change. In 2010 Zoos Victoria, which operates Victoria’s 3 major zoos Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary, started a program committed to ensuring that no Victorian terrestrial vertebrate species would go extinct. Zoos Victoria aims to secure these species (3 lizards, 5 frogs, 3 birds, 5 marsupial mammals, 3 placental mammals) along with the LHISI in its care, support recovery programs, continue researching into captive breeding and reintroduction, and raise community awareness by providing people with the opportunity to connect with and better understand these species. The campaign for saving these twenty species is called ‘Fighting Extinction’ and is a clear manifestation of Zoos Victoria’s vision to be the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organization.

Fig. 7a

Fig. 7b

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Fig. 7c

As mentioned, the LHISI are amongst these twenty ‘Fighting Extinction’ species and Melbourne Zoo’s endeavours with the LHISI are a case in point. The last element of Melbourne Zoo’s program for the LHISI is to increase community awareness of the plight of this endangered invertebrate and encourage support for its conservation. Making use of digital media (Internet, App, YouTube; Figs. 7a, b, c), the program’s goals go beyond the zoo walls in order to galvanise communities to commit to the conservation of wildlife. In addition, a school program was run (‘Return of the Phasmid’) involving 25 schools from around Victoria to promote conservation in the classroom by raising LHISIs. This is aligned with school curricula and involves both primary and secondary students. Zoo staff provided information and guidance, following teacher visits to the Zoo.

Zoos Victoria’s adage is that as many of its actions as possibly cover all areas underpinning its corporate philosophy: hitting the ‘sweet spot’ by overlapping conservation, animals, visitors, people (staff) and financial sustainability (Fig. 8) .

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Fig. 8

Melbourne Zoo’s breeding program for LHISI has brought the species back from the brink of extinction, a species that has husbandry requirements that are a challenge to the staff, makes for an interesting addition to the animal collection at relatively low costs, and is appealing to visitors of all plumage (Fig. 9. Sir David Attenborough with LHISI at Melbourne Zoo) .

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ReferencesCarlile, N., Priddel, D. and Honan, P. (2009): The recovery program for the Lord Howe Island Phasmid (Dryococelus australis) following its rediscovery. Ecological Management and Restoration 10, 124-128.Department of the Environment and Climate Change New South Wales (2007): Lord Howe Island biodiversity Management Plan. Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW), Sydney. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2013): Dryococelus australis in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.Honan, P., Cleave, R., Dowsett, N., Anderson, R. and Marston, Z. (2007): Husbandry Manual for the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect. Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne.Honan, P. (2008): Notes on the biology, captive management and conservation status of the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect (Dryococelus australis) (Phasmatodea). Journal of Insect Conservation 12, 399-413Lambert, H. (2012). Reproduction in captive environments: how does female choice affect mating behavior and reproductive outcome in Lord Howe Island stick insects (Dryococelus australis). MSc thesis. Zoology Department, University of Melbourne.Lord Howe Island Board (2009): Draft Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Plan. Lord Howe Island Board, Lord Howe Island.Priddel, D., Carlile, N., Humphrey, M., Fellenberg, S. and Hiscox, D. (2002): Interim Recovery Actions: The Lord Howe Island Phasmid Dryococelus australis, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service unpublished report, Sydney.Priddel, D., Carlile, N., Humphrey, M., Fellenberg, S. and Hiscox, D. (2003): Rediscovery of the ‘extinct’ Lord Howe Island stick-insect (Dryococelus australis (Montrouzier)) (Phasmatodea) and recommendations for its conservation. Biodiversity Conservation 12, 1391-1403.

This paper was also presented at the Annual Conference of the Zoo and Aquarium Associa-tion, 28-30 August 2012, Dreamworld, Coomera (Gold Coast), Queensland, AustraliaLinks:1. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/6852/02. http://environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/lordhoweislandphasmidfd.htm 3. http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/burke/2012/mr20120715.html

Rohan Cleave*, Kate Pearce*, Peter Courtney*** & Hans van Weerd****

* Senior Keeper Herpetofauna and Invertebrates** Specialist Keeper Invertebrates***Curator Native Fauna and Birds****General Manager Life SciencesContact Email : hvanweerd@zoo.org.auMelbourne Zoo, Zoos Victoria(www.zoo.org.au), Elliott Avenue, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia

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THE LATIN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS - ALPZA

The Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums/Asociación Latinoamericana de Parques Zoológicos y Acuarios (ALPZA) was constituted in 1990 and is the regional organisation which includes the most prestigious and influential zoological institutions in Latin America. Its aim is to facilitate a sustainable business model among its members and integrate the efforts of the Latin American region into the global conservation goals.

Currently, ALPZA has 73 members (47 institutions) from 20 countries inside and outside of Latin America.

ALPZA is the Latin American representative in the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) as well as in the IUCN and CITES, among other organizations. ALPZA promotes, coordinates and certifies most of the important conservation projects of Latin America. Our web site is www.alpza.org.

In the twenty years of existence, ALPZA has promoted a new vision for Latin American zoos and aquariums so they can better fulfil their role in the global zoological society. ALPZA represents a heterogeneous community with an equitable, pluralistic, participative and encompassing nature. We believe the best impact we can have on our visitors is to instil in them our

passion for wildlife and inspire and motivate society to have a better relationship with our environment.

ALPZA’s activities are based on respect for the dynamics of each individual institution, but we are committed to a vision where excellence will not be measured by the number of species housed or by the majesty of the facilities. Excellence of our institutions shall be defined by their impact on the local communities and on the resolution of environmental problems in their areas of influence. The vision of ALPZA is to ensure the conservation of the Latin American biodiversity, harmoniously integrating humans with nature.

Our main objectives are: 1. To promote strategies for the integral development of our members.2. To positively impact on Latin American biodiversity conservation (through the development of regional conservation programmes).3. To assure the viability of the animal populations of the Latin American zoos and aquariums.

International Zoo News Vol. 60, No. 4 (2013), p. 253

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ALPZA’S CONTRIBUTION TO CONSERVATION IN LATIN AMERICABy Jacome, N. L., Barros, Y., Bairrão Ruivo, E., Cruz, J. B., Righi, C., Hidalgo, E., Carrillo, L. & Astore, V.

The ALPZA (Latin-American Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Conservation Committee is composed of experts working to promote ecological balance and biodiversity conservation in Latin America, seeking a harmonious integration of humans and nature.

Conservation Committee guidelines were introduced in 2008 in order to promote and encourage ALPZA members to develop their skills, talents and resources towards biodiversity conservation and to integrate the conservation efforts of the Latin-American region with global conservation goals.

Andean condor Vultur gryphus reintroduced on the Atlantic shore of Patagonia, Argentina. (Photo: Agustina Galli)

International Zoo News Vol. 60, No. 4 (2013), pp. 254-265

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The scope of the ALPZA Conservation CommitteeEnvironmental degradation has been a growing concern in recent times. Some

specialists believe that it would take a planet three times the size of the Earth to sustain the current consumption demands of modern society. Pollution, global warming, deforestation, overpopulation, wars, among many other factors, are changing the ecosystem delicate balance and contributing to the extinction of wild species at an alarming rate. Latin-America, one of the most bio-diverse regions of the world, is not exempt from this problem. During the past twentyfive years the population has increased by one hundred and forty million people, adding substantially to the strain on our natural resources.

Skins of jaguar Panthera onca, snakes, cougar Puma concolor, etc. Mercado de las brujas, La Paz, Bolivia. (Photo: Zoo Bs As)

In recent years, zoos and aquariums around the world have invested resources to break down the barriers that separate visitors from the animals, creating environments “as natural as possible” for their animals. But there is a barrier that not many institutions have managed to “break”, and that is the perimeter fence that limits their space and separates them from the society and the surrounding environment.

It is necessary and urgent that zoological institutions redirect their efforts, according to their capabilities, into developing conservation actions that generate a strong contribution from the public, tackling environmental problems within their areas of influence.

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ALPZA is aware of this new role that its members should play in the global conservation framework and supports and encourages its members to undertake conservation efforts. To facilitate this effort is the main task of the Conservation Committee.

Installation of satellite transmitter on a juvenile Chilean flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis. Reintroduction Project at Salar de Atacama, Chile. (Photo: Zoológico Nacional del Parque

Metropolitano) I - Actions and results

a) Certification: recognizing the good conservation programmesIn order to recognize, support and guide the conservation efforts of ALPZA members, the Conservation Committee put in place a certification process for conservation programmes that achieve a high quality level. To be certificated by ALPZA, conservation programmes must fulfill the following criteria:

1. Address specific environmental problems that may affect wild species, populations, a natural communities or specific environments and develop clear strategies and proposals for their solution.2. Integrate ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts.3. If involving releases of animals into the wild:

3.1. The programme must have a clearly defined health protocol and behavioral

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evaluation, in order to prevent the introduction of diseases or abnormal behavior patterns into the wild population.3.2. The programme must consider the geographic and/or genetic origin of the animals to be released.3.3. The animals must be individually identified. 3.4. The programme must carry out an effective post-release monitoring system to evaluate the adaptation of the released animals.

4. If involving rescue and rehabilitation actions:4.1. The transfer of animals from and to the wild must be controlled by the governmental authority in charge of wildlife.4.2. The programme must have isolation facilities, quarantine areas and working protocols that offer bio-security for the staff and the animals, and a proper management protocol for the animals.4.3. The programme must have an individual identification system and a tracking record of each specimen. 4.4. The rehabilitated animals must be integrated into reintroduction programmes to the wild or to ex-situ conservation programmes for the species.

Rescue of a leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) (Photo: Victoria Gonzalez Aquamarina)

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5. If involving the conservation of natural environments:5.1 The areas must be clearly defined and limited and must be effective conservation units for the maintenance of their particular ecological processes.5.2. The biological and/or cultural relevance of the areas must justify their conservation.5.3. The areas must be registered as official protected areas (regional, governmental or private) and must have a management plan.5.5. The areas have sufficient qualified staff, equipment and infrastructure to ensure their care and conservation.

6. The institution responsible for the programme must have sufficient qualified technical expertise and staff directed to the program and become a capacity-building source.7. Financial resources, equipment and infrastructure must be available, with a minimum guaranteed annual budget.8. Clear evidence should be presented that the proposed objectives are mostly achieved. 9. The programme must generate data that result in a clear contribution to biodiversity conservation or to solve environmental problems within its areas of influence.

Biosecurity Laboratory, breeding of the Alcatraz snouted treefrog Scinax alcatraz, Brazil. (Photo: São Paulo Zoo)

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The Alcatraz snouted treefrog Scinax alcatraz. (Photo: São Paulo Zoo)

10. The programme must be sustained over time (at least three years), or be part of a continuous program.11. The programme must facilitate institutional integration, joining forces with national, international, governmental and non-governmental organizations associated with wildlife conservation.12. It is recommended that the programme involves and integrates more than one ALPZA member.13. The programme must include the development of scientific research and education programmes. The results should be divulgated both in scientific and social media. 14. The programme must involve and integrates the local community on its area of influence.

14.1. If the programme impacts communities and the areas where they live, community members must involved on the decision-making process.14.2. The communities must be informed about the programme, its scope, goals and results.14.3. The programme must generate benefits for the communities and consequently encourage them to continue with biodiversity conservation initiatives.14.4. Contingency plans for the possible negative impacts of the programme on the communities must be prepared in advance.

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15. The programme must ensure adequate animal welfare, in accordance with the national and international laws that rule the wildlife management. 16. After certification, the programme must send annual reports presenting the actions and the results achieved, in order to continue its certification. If the programme does not continue for a period of two years, its certification is cancelled. 17. Programmes certified by ALPZA must comply with any new criteria that the ALPZA Conservation Committee may establish, reporting on the compliance of these requirements. If the certificated programme fails to accomplish these within a deadline of two years, its certification is cancelled. 18. Programmes certified by ALPZA will automatically be branded by WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquaria). To make this possible, the programme shall fill in the forms for the WAZA Conservation Certification and send them to the Coordinator of the ALPZA Conservation Committee, who will be in charge of forwarding the forms, together with the ALPZA certification, to WAZA.19. The person responsible for the programme certified by ALPZA has three months to enter the programme in the World Conservation database.

Any ALPZA member that develops programmes which fulfill these guidelines can complete and return the form available on the web (www.alpza.org) to the ALPZA Conservation Committee (conservacion@alpza.com address with copy to direccion@alpza. com) so it can be evaluated to become an ALPZA CONSERVATION PROJECT. Also, considering the need to unify criteria for the certification process of the ALPZA conservation projects, the Conservation Committee elaborated a working protocol, in agreement with the ALPZA Executive Directorate and Presidency. This document clarifies how the evaluation must be conducted and gives clear action guidelines. The working protocol can be accessed on the ALPZA website.

The Conservation Committee has evaluated several conservation projects and until now, two have been certified.

• International Conservation Programme for the White-footed tamarin Saguinus leucopus in Colombia. ALPZA CP # 1, 2011.

The International Conservation Programme for the White-footed tamarin, Saguinus leucopus in Colombia is a joint conservation programme between European and Colombian institutions members of EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) and ACOPAZOA (Colombian Association of Zoos and Aquaria), which was initiated in 2005 with the main goal of preserving the white-footed tamarin Saguinus leucopus, an endemic primate to Colombia, recently listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List. The species inhabits a small area of Colombia (15,000 km2), the smallest distribution of all the species of Saguinus genus, and which does not occur in any protected reserve. The main threats to the species are habitat loss and illegal trade. Currently, there are 22 EAZA members and 8 Colombian zoos (all members of ACOPAZOA) actively involved on the programme. In 2009 the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) joined the programme mainly to help for the development

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of in-situ activities, and on this year ACOPAZOA became the coordinator of the program on a national level.

The program was able to integrate ex-situ and in-situ activities, education and research in a comprehensive manner. A capacity building programme was established in order to improve the captive management of the species. A captive breeding program was put in place in Colombia, with standardization of veterinary and nutritional procedures. Education activities and programmes have been developed both in zoos and in areas where the species occurs. Finally, an important programme started in 2010 in order to establish updated distribution and density of the species in the whole country and to evaluate the health and status and genetic diversity of the remaining population in order to establish an action plan for the conservation of the species in the wild and to buy land to create the first protected area to the species.

• Andean Condor Vultur gryphus Conservation Programme in Argentina. ALPZA PC # 2, 2012.

For thousands of years, the Andean Condor Vultur gryphus, the largest flying bird in the world, has been honoured by the indigenous communities in South America, who consider it a sacred link between men and God.

Abundant in the past, this emblematic animal, symbolic link with our cultural past, has unfortunately become a conservation challenge. Therefore, in August 1991 the Buenos Aires Zoo and the Bioandina Foundation created the Andean Condor Con-servation Programme (PCCA), conducted under the bi-national programme between Chile and Argentina. It has the special collaboration of ZCOG (Zoo Conservation Outreach Group), Conservation Fund Sea World-Busch Gardens, Intergraph Reg-istered Research Laboratory, Foundation Bioparc, Le Grand Parc du Puy du Fou, CEPA, the Directorates of Environment and Fauna of Argentina, with national and international partners as the Zoo La Maximum Olavarria, Quinteros Reserve, La Rioja and the Association Beauval Conservation et Recherche, among others.

The species is listed in Appendix I of CITES and declared Endangered by the USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service). The Red List of Threatened Species IUCN lists the species, which has declining populations, as Near Threatened. The PCCA carried out genetic studies and created a Studbook to the captive population in Latin-America. The project develops artificial incubation programs, breeding techniques under human isolation and works with the rescue and rehabilitation of wild condors. So far, the international conservation programme reintroduced 124 specimens in South America.

The use of radio telemetry and satellite transmission, associated with intense field work, led to the development of a specific geographic information system, as part of the Intergraph Registered Research Laboratory. It was also created a special software, named Decosat, a flight simulator program that helps to understand the patterns of their movement. This technology made possible to get data on the use of the environment by the condors, their roosting sites, flight capacity and

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habitat preference. This scientific information guides the decision making for the conservation of these fabulous birds and the balance of their majestic ecosystem.

The local indigenous communities used to honour and live in harmony with this species in the past, and before each release, ancestral ceremonies are performed by them. They make prayers in their native language, as a message of respect for all forms of life, and in this way the Spirit of the Andes returns to its historic place.

Jörg Junhold (President of WAZA, far right) and Mauricio Fabry (President of ALPZA, far left) deliver the certificate to the coordinators of the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)

Conservation Programme , project CP ALPZA #2, Luís Jacome and Vanessa Astore, ALPZA, Africam Safari, México

b) PublicationsA Conservation Journal (in Portuguese and Spanish) is published on a regular basis, to report the conservation efforts made by ALPZA members. This publication is available on APLZA website and addressed issues such as:

• Conservation Program of the Horned-Guan Oreophasis derbianus. Africam Safari, Mexico. • Burrowing-Parrot Project of the National Zoo - Parque Metropolitano de Santiago, Chile.• The Return of the Condor to the sea - Binational Conservation Program of the Andean Condor Chile - Argentina. Paileman, Rio Negro, Argentina. Buenos Aires Zoo Foundation Bioandina Argentina.• Pichoó Project, the Tuxtla Quail-Dove Geotrygon carrikeri. Africam Safari, Mexico.

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• Contribution to the conservation of the species Amazona vinacea at Temaikén Bio Park, Argentina.• Conservation Project of the Giant Anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla, Artis Royal Zoo, Netherlands - Zoo F. Varela, Argentina.• Recovery Program of the Spix’s Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii. Parque das Aves, Brazil.• Conservation Project of the Darwin’s frog Rhinoderma darwini. National Zoo-Parque Metropolitano de Santiago, Chile.• Andean Condor Conservation Project, after more than 100 years of extinction condors once again incubate and raise chicks on the Atlantic coast of Patagonia. Buenos Aires Zoo and Bioandina Foundation.• Ex-situ conservation of Alcatraz snouted treefrog Scinax alcatraz - captive breeding and management of a critically endangered arboreal frog. São Paulo Zoo, Brazil.• Conservation Project of the Manned Wolf - Releasing a manned wolf in Mar Chiquita, Córdoba. Temaikén Bio Park, Argentina.• International Program for the Conservation of white-footed tamarin. ACOPAZOA - EAZA. Colombia.• The ALPZA certification of Conservation Programs.

c) Capacity building and scholarships

The ALPZA Conservation Committee has organized and conducted various training and capacity building workshops and lectures in the last few years, both theoretical and practical, during the APLZA Congresses.

A network of 34 specialists from 23 institutions in 9 countries (France, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico), acting as consultants in several areas of conservation biology was established and a database with data on conservation programmes developed by ALPZA members.

d) FundraisingThe ALPZA Conservation Committee developed fundraising campaigns and strategies to generate funds for conservation. Thanks to the collaboration of São Paulo Zoo, T-shirts and cards were designed and printed to be sold during the annual meetings of the association. Additionally, auctions are held during the ALPZA Congresses. e) Establishment of Institutional Partnerships

In order to integrate the regional conservation efforts within a global framework of action, the ALPZA Conservation Committee has a representative on the WAZA Conservation and Sustainability Committee.

The following ALPZA certificated projects have been recognized by WAZA and integrated into their work programs:

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•International Conservation Programme for the White-footed tamarin Saginus leucopus. WAZA CONSERVATION PROJECT # 11001.

Couple of White-footed tamarins. International Programme for the Conservation of the White-footed tamarin Saguinus leucopus ACOPAZOA – EAZA. (Photo: Fundación

Biodiversa Colombia)

• Andean Condor Vultur gryphus Conservation Programme in Argentina. WAZA CONSERVATION PROJECT # 10027.

Nestling of an Andean condor, hatched under artificial incubation, PCCA, Argentina. (Photo: Hernán Pepe)

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II – ConclusionLatin-America is one of the most bio-diverse regions of the planet. Therefore,

ALPZA and its Conservation Committee, conscious of the role they should play in the context of global conservation, will continue to work together with its members to address the environmental challenges that threaten all forms of life in the planet in general and especially in our region.

Left to right: Eric Bairrão Ruivo3, Yara de Melo Barros2, Luis Jacome1, Vanessa Astore1, Carina Righi5 and João B. Cruz4.

E. Hidalgo6 & L. Carrillo7 are not pictured 1 Buenos Aires Zoo, Argentina, 2 Parque Das Aves, Brazil, 3

Conservation Association Beauval et Recherche & ZooParc de Beauval, France, 4 Sao Paulo Zoo, Brazil, 5 Fundación Temaikén,

Argentina; 6 Buin Zoo, Chile & 7 Zoofari, Mexico.

Contact: Yara de Melo Barros, Email: yarambarros@yahoo.com.br

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From Catch to DeliveryOur fish is suitable for human consumption and is of a very high quality, because we have refrigerated trawlers who process the fish directly on board, freshly frozen and stored being transferred to our own Coldstore ashore. We sell our fish to several customers and markets and also to the zoos and dolphinariums in Europe and all over the world. We have a lot of experience for many years now.All our fish is block frozen, poly-wrapped and packed in a carton strapped twice.We have following fish available:

l Heringl Mackerell Blue Whiting l Horse Mackerell Sprats

Tel. 0031(0) 71 - 789 01 81Fax. 0031(0) 71 - 789 00 01Sales Contact: Ms. Mieke Leuning mle@pp-group.eu

Parlevliet & van der Plas B.V.Voorschoterweg 312235 SE Valkenburg ZHThe Netherlandswww.parlevliet-vanderplas.nl

All in different sizes on request, and to be sold on actual weight base.

l Capelin l Squid l Freshwater Fishl Shrimpsl Smelt

‘Das große Kribbeln’ Mobile Animal Presentation in Hannover ZooBy Fabian KrauseDo you know what it feels like when a millipede runs along your arm ?

or which animal bears the resounding scientific name Tenebrio molitor ?

International Zoo News Vol. 60, No. 4 (2013), pp. 268-275

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Most visitors to a zoo wouldn’t have a clue – and so, in 2012, Hannover Adventure Zoo launched a project to draw people’s attention to animals of rather more modest dimensions than those that usually appear in zoos and animal parks. The project is called ‘Das große Kribbeln’ (roughly, ‘The big tickling’ – the centipede feeling …!) and mainly concerned with invertebrates.

For most people zoos are their main opportunity to get close to live animals and, as well as showing animals, zoos and animal parks have risen to the task of conveying basic biological information and increasing visitors’ awareness of the needs and habitats of the animals on show. The motto and vision of Hannover Zoo is ‘Enthusing people for animals’. Presenting these animals in natural-seeming settings while taking into account what people want to see, but above all respecting animals’ needs with regard to their surroundings, is of course a crucial aspect of putting this vision into practice. Hannover Zoo goes one step further and deliberately tries to meet the visitors halfway, bringing them and the animals closer; information about the animals, their habitats – but also about the complex relationship between humans and animals – is conveyed through tangible experiences. For it’s the experiences that stick in visitors’ memories and also encourage them to go to the zoo again. In Hannover this concept is applied in multifarious ways: themed guided tours for all ages, feeding times with live commentary, ‘keepers talk’, flying displays, animal training packaged as shows ...

In late 2011 the search was on for a new presentation idea and the animals to go with it, the intention being to approach people with different animals, to remove the boundaries between visitors and animals but also between visitors and keepers and, not least, to enable physical human-animal contact. Although it was clear that animals with six or more legs would not immediately spring to mind as every visitor’s idea of a beautiful close encounter, it was quickly decided that invertebrates would be at the heart of this project …

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Why invertebrates?

- Contact with the animals is possible, and certainly outside most visitors’ everyday experience.

- Keeping them ‘backstage’ is unproblematic (which is not to say that it’s always simple; exotic species need very specific environments in some respects).

- The logistics (bringing the animal to the visitor) are feasible.- Invertebrates have tremendous educative potential.

There are more species of invertebrates than of any other group of animals, yet they are under-represented in zoos. Although a constant and close presence in our lives, they are often despised as harmful and repulsive. The challenge, then, is to overcome people’s prejudice and reluctance to touch them.

Before the project was to start in May of 2012 all sorts of preparations were necessary, starting with selecting diverse, fascinating but also robust species (Table 1) that could withstand being carried about in the zoo and the unavoidable shaking and temperature changes. The suitability of particular species for actual contact with visitors was also considered. Once the animals had been chosen, a room with modern terraria and the associated technology was fitted out and the question remained of a suitable transport vehicle; it should attract attention and lure visitors to come closer on its own merits; a small electric-powered replica antique car in safari style seemed the natural choice.

It has a flatbed on which animal boxes, exhibits or even a stick insect climbing tree can be shown.

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A (real) suitcase serves to transport the animals in their carrying boxes or plastic tubes. Inside, closely fitted drawers stop the transport containers wobbling and slipping around during the journey. Then a few suitable locations around the zoo were chosen on the basis of easy access by the ‘creepy-crawly car’ and the possibility of moving the show and visitors indoors in the event of bad weather. Also, blocking the stream of visitors around the zoo had to be avoided. Once the schedule had been drawn up, the responsible staff organised, and a little advertising done, nothing stood in the way of the great creepy-crawlery …

Table 1: ´Creepy crawly animal selection´Common Name Scientific Name Interesting fact as starter…Giant African Land Snail (Page 273) Achatina reticulate Snail shell 15-20 cm.

Turquoise Blue Walkingstick Achrioptera fallax Males vibrant blue with red

wings.Giant African Millipede (Page 268) Archispirostreptus gigas Up to 30 cm, 200-400 legs,

lives up to 10 years.Sabah Thorny Stick Insect Aretaon asperrimus Female can carry male during

mating for several days.Atlas Beetle (Page 269) Chalcosoma Caucasus Imago up to 12 cm long.

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Thorny Devil Stick Insect Eurycantha calcarata Thorns of hind legs important

for defence as well as mating.Giant Prickly Stick Insect Extatosoma tiaratum

Mimesis in habitus and movement.Giant Stick Insect Bacculum extradentatum

Leaf Insect (Page 274) Phyllium siccifolium

Violin Mantis (Page 275) Gongylus gongylodes Hangs upside down while

hunting flying insects.Giant Indian Praying Mantis Hierodula grandis Cannibalistic mating.

Horsehead Grasshopper Pseudoproscopia latirostris Strange-shaped head with

gibbous eyes.Mealworm Beetle (Page 268) Tenebrio molitor Widely known as live food.

Not invertebrate, but also on board the ‘creepy-crawly car’California Mountain Kingsnake (Page 273) Lampropeltis zonata Mimicry.

Turkmenian Sand Boa Eryx miliaris Fossorial ambusher.

Several times a day, one or two keepers drive the ‘creepy-crawly car’ to various locations. Generally just the appearance of this odd little mock-antique vehicle is enough to draw the first spectators, and others join almost automatically. Especially when the weather makes it necessary to move to a more sheltered location it’s effective, for instance, to approach visitors with a snake in one’s hands. As these locations are not directly on the usual visitors’ route a sign also calls attention to the action.

All sorts of topics about invertebrates can be vividly presented using live animals – most of all, surely, the variety and distribution of this group, which comprises more than half of all documented species and which has colonised every imaginable habitat, even those with extreme conditions. The most various adaptations to the respective ecological niches are the key to this. Exuvia are very useful as exhibits to explain individuals’ development from larva to imago, and the importance of ecdysis, sexual dimorphism and its influence on animal behaviour can be shown with the selected species, as can the importance of camouflage in the animal kingdom e.g., the difference between mimicry (warning colouration) and mimesis (concealment).

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Experience with the action in its first season in Hannover Zoo was almost entirely highly positive. Children, especially, are usually fascinated and approach unfamiliar animals uninhibitedly. Being less squeamish and reserved, of course they have to be curbed sometimes; mothers, on the other hand, now and then are something else when it comes to squeamishness. Many visitors just look on, but many also ask questions and thus the initial reserve and aversion turns into interest. The close-up presentation of invertebrates and reptiles was greeted with enthusiasm.

It is seldom that our keepers need to deal with ‘pushy’ visitors who have to touch everything and think that because there are no bars they can grab whatever they like. Generally, though, visitors are well-behaved, and keepers can tell when an animal can be put into someone’s hands and when it would be better just to show it in their own hands. As a summer season action, ‘Das Große Kribbeln’ has been a great success and very popular with visitors, who often ask at entrance gate where they can find the ‘creepy-crawly car’.

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In the winter months the action is limited to weekends and public and school holidays, and requires considerably more effort: the animals have to be protected from the weather and the suitcase fitted with heating elements. A mobile radiant heater is also needed in winter even when the show happens only indoors, and in the practicable show period of just 30-45 minutes only a few visitors find their way to the creepy-crawly car.

All those involved in the project are very pleased with ‘Das Große Kribbeln’; showing invertebrates puts the focus on a group of animals whose fascinating qualities and diversity make them worthy exhibits – and we can see that our zoo’s motto, ‘Enthusing people for animals’, also works with creepy-crawlies.

Fabian Krause, Scientific Assistant Zoo Hannover GmbH Adenauerallee 3, 30175 Hannover, Germany Email: krause@zoo-hannover.deAll photo credits: Zoo Hannover.

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International Zoo News Vol. 60, No. 4 (2013), pp. 276-285

Effects of three food enrichment methods on stereotypy and investigative behaviour of a Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) at the Singapore ZooBy Diana Marlena, Gaytri Meriange and John Sha Chih Mun

Introduction Captive carnivores are particularly prone to stereotypy compared to other groups

of animals (Boorer, 1972; Kolter, 1995). Some 60% of bears in captivity were reported to perform stereotypic behaviours (van Keulen-kromhout, 1978). Bears in captivity often develop morphologically fixed, repetitive behavior patterns that are primarily locomotory in form (Clubb & Mason 2003; Meyer-Holzapfel, 1968). High incidences of stereotypy are also associated with less variable movements and reduced activity such as resting or sleeping (Vickery & Mason 2004). Several studies have showed that locomotory stereotypy is linked to food-getting behaviour (e.g. Mason, 1993; Mason et al., 2007; Vickery & Mason, 2004). As such, many environmental enrichment programmes aim to reduce carnivore stereotypies by providing naturalistic foraging opportunities (Mason & Rushen, 2006; Young, 2003).

Enrichment for bears in captivity has taken many forms (see Law & Reid 2010 for a review). Most forms of enrichment for bears center on offering food. Quantitative studies of feeding enrichment on bears mostly showed that it was effective in reducing the frequency of pacing [e.g. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus): Forthman et al. (1992) and Markowitz (1982); Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), Black bear (Ursus americanus): Carlstead et al. (1991); Brown bear (Ursus arctos): Carlstead et al. (1991) and Forthman et al. (1992); Kodiak (Ursus arctos middendorffii), Asiatic black (Selenarctos thibetanus) Forthman et al., (1992)]; although other studies have also shown that feeding enrichment may not be universally successful (Dobberstine and Sherperdson, 1994; Kolter & Zander, 1995).

Some researchers have suggested that search based feeding tasks compared to feed extraction feeding tasks was more suitable for carnivores and more effective at reducing stereotypies (e.g. Carlstead et al., 1991; Grandia et al., 2001; O’Grady et al., 1990; Usher-Smith & Kolter, 1998). Others like Law and Reid (2010) have however, noted that bears have complex behavioural requirements, that are every bit as demanding as primates, and need to be provided with more challenging and complex conditions in captivity to maintain good mental and physical condition.

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A young female Malayan sun bear at the Singapore Zoo was observed to exhibit considerable frequency of stereotypic pacing behaviour, as well as some abnormal behaviours like head weaving and swaying. Three environmental enrichment methods were used to attempt at alleviating stereotypy – 1) increased scatter feeds to encourage searching and foraging behaviour; 2) mechanical spinning tube device; and 3) a wobble tree device. Both 2) and 3) required manipulation of the devices by the bear to extract food contained within the devices. The behaviour of the sun bear was studied to examine the effects of the three enrichment methods.

MethodsAnimals and husbandry

An individual bear was used in this observational study: a 6-year-old, captive born, female Malayan sun bear named Matahari. She was housed together with another sun bear Garang (31-year-old) who is her grandmother. The enclosure for the sun bear (Figure 1.) was made up of an exhibit connected to night dens and two visitor viewing areas. The exhibit is separated from the visitor area by a dry moat in between two chest high walls which is used as the primary barrier from visitors. An alternative viewing area is available through a glass panel. The interior of the exhibit included ground cover made up of soil, dried leaves, wood piles, woodchips, grass turf and concrete. There are also plantings in the form of various plant species. Upright logs and horizontally planted logs intersperse the exhibit and provided climbing and resting opportunities for the bears. Other features of the exhibit included artificial caves to provide hiding areas. There is also a pool located at the center of the exhibit. This provides the bears with drinking water as well as opportunities for the bears to cool off during hot weather.

Figure 1: Sun bear enclosure

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The bears are fed three times a day with a variety of food which consisted of bread, dog pellets and mixed vegetables and fruits according to availability (sweet potato, grape, watermelon, honeydew, papaya and apple). Food for the first feeding is either hidden or scattered around the exhibit prior to animal release to encourage foraging. The second feeding takes place at about 4 pm in the form of scatter feeding where food items are scattered at various locations from the front of the exhibit or from the roof of the den area. The last feeding is at about 6pm takes place in their night dens or yards where food is placed just before the bears are brought in for the day. The two bears are housed separately in their night dens in the evening

Prior to this study, the sun bears were provided a regular enrichment programme, (on average 18 days of enrichment in any given month). The types of enrichment provided included: 1) provision of novel food items like palm fruit, pomelo, coconuts, sugarcane, raisins; 2) smearing of fruit paste, honey or condensed milk on exhibit furniture, hidden fruits, and termite infested rotten logs; 3) ‘Icicles’ or ‘fruitsicles’ consisting of food items frozen in ice blocks; 4) scented perfumes, scent trails, herbs, spices and oils; 5) manipulative devices such as PVC rattle, 30 inch diameter heavy duty ball, browse of different species, feeder balls, and ‘Lion ball’ Aussie Dog™ attached to bungee cords and bowling balls. The bears were also engaged in operant conditioning to facilitate husbandry and veterinary care.

Enrichment used for this study Enrichment 1: Increase in scatter feedings from three to five a day

The number of scatter feedings was increased from the usual three to five. The increase in scatter feeding was implemented as part of the sun bears feeding programme. This was done by dividing the total amount of food into more scatter feeding sessions. Scatter feeding consisted of items in their original diet. Scatter feed was provided at 9am (fruits), 11.30am (pellets), 1.45pm (fruits), 2.45pm (pellets), 4.15 (bread mixed with honey).

Enrichment 2: The spinning tubeA spinning tube (Figure 2.) consisted of two PVC tubes; one approximately 40 cm

(diameter) by 100 cm (length) and the other 5 cm (diameter) by 140 cm (length). Holes of varying sizes were drilled through the shorter, wider tube and enclosed on both ends with two circular plywood boards measuring approximately 40 cm (diameter) by 2 cm (thickness). Two holes were drilled on both boards to enable the longer thinner tube to be threaded through. A recycled fire hose was used as a stopper. A climbing rope was threaded through the longer tube and the excess on both sides was used to suspend the structure on two upright logs. Food placed inside the spinning tube consisted of fruits such as apples and honey dew, dog pellets and honey, which were dispensed through the holes on the shorter tube as the device was manipulated. The spinning tube was assembled and placed in the exhibit in the morning before the sun bears were released.

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Figure 2: Spinning tube device

Enrichment 3: Wobble tree The wobble tree (Figure 3) was adapted from Law & Kitchener (2002) for sloth

bears and elephants in captivity. Modifications included four buggy tyres placed underground (instead of above ground), with a 2 m smoothed wooden pole placed in the middle. A used fire hose was wound around the pole to keep it upright but with a slight allowance to allow the pole to sway as it is being pushed or shaken. A recycled bin with holes drilled underneath was attached to the top end of the pole. Food items placed in the bin consisted of chopped fruits such as apples and honeydews, dog pellet and honey. Some fruits were also attached to a short brown rope or manila rope and left dangling outside the bin to provide visual cues. The food chamber was refilled daily in the morning before the sun bears were released into the exhibit.

Figure 3: Wobble tree device

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Study design and data collectionWe collected pre-enrichment baseline data on the behaviour of the sun bear for

the first two weeks of the study. In the third week, the first enrichment method – increased scatter feed was then introduced for duration of one week. During the fourth week there was no enrichment provided except for regular scatter feeding. In the fifth week, the second enrichment method – spinning tube was implemented, again for duration of one week. This was again removed during the sixth week. In the seventh week, the third enrichment method – wobble tree was implemented for another one week duration. This was removed in the eight and ninth week and during this time, post-enrichment baseline was collected. Focal sampling (Altmann, 1974) was used to record behaviours given in the ethogram shown in Table 1. Focal sampling involved observing the study animal for a specified period of 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute break and this was repeated over each observation day from 9am to 5pm.

Table 1. Ethogram of observed behaviours.

Behaviour DefinitionResting Body stationary, not involved in any significant

activity

Foraging Manipulating food with the intention of consuming it, includes foraging and drinking

Locomotion Moving from one location to another including walking, running, climbing

Investigative play Significantly manipulating and moving objects,

Pacing and abnormal behaviour

Moving around the exhibit on a set path, with at least two repetitions, head weaving, swaying, neck turning, tongue flicking

Data analysisOne-way Anova was used to test for differences in behaviour categories between

the different treatments – pre-enrichment, enrichment 1, enrichment 2, enrichment 3, non-enrichment and post enrichment. Post-hoc Tukey test was used to test for significant differences between each treatment. All data were checked for normality using Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. All data were normally distributed. All analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17.0 (SPSS Ins., Chicago, IL). Statistical significance was set at P ≤0.05.

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Results

Effects of enrichment on stereotypic pacingPre-enrichment and post-enrichment results on the stereotypic pacing of the sun bear

showed that the subject spent 48.35% and 54.20% pacing respectively. Stereotypic pacing (Figure 4) differed during the different treatments (One-way Anova: F=21.405; d.f.=5; p<0.001). Stereotypic behaviour displayed during enrichment 1 – scatter feed (20.10%), enrichment 2 – spinning tube (0.13%) and enrichment 3 - wobble tree (14.94%) were significantly lower than during pre-enrichment (48.35%) and post-enrichment (54.20%) [enrichment 1 versus pre-enrichment (p<0.01); enrichment 2 versus pre-enrichment (p<0.001); enrichment 3 versus pre-enrichment (p<0.01)] and during post enrichment [enrichment 1 versus post enrichment (p<0.05); enrichment 2 versus post enrichment (p<0.001); enrichment 3 versus post enrichment (p<0.05)]. Stereotypic pacing during non-enrichment days (5.72%) were significantly lower than during pre-enrichment (p<0.01) and post enrichment (p<0.01) Stereotypic pacing between pre-enrichment and post enrichment did not differ significantly (p=0.716). The spinning tube enrichment was most effective at reducing stereotypic behaviour, with the sun bear observed to utilized the device effectively (Figure 5).

Figure 4: Comparison of stereotypic pacing during different treatments.

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Figure 5: Sun bear using the spinning tube.

Effects of enrichment on investigative behaviourInvestigative behaviour (Figure 6.) between the enrichment 1, 2, non-enrichment,

pre-enrichment and post-enrichment were not significantly different. However, investigative play behaviour was significantly higher during enrichment 3 (10.79%) compared to pre-enrichment 1 (p<0.01), enrichment 2 (p<0.01), non-enrichment (p<0.05), pre-enrichment (p<0.05) and post-enrichment (p<0.05). The sun bear was frequently observed investigating the wobble tree enrichment (Figure 7).

Figure 6: Comparison of investigative/play behavior during different treatments.

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Figure 7: Sun bear investigating the wobble tree.

DiscussionThis study showed that food-based enrichment was effective in alleviating

stereotypic behaviour in a sun bear, Matahari, at the Singapore Zoo. All three enrichment methods reduced stereotypic behaviour by more than half compared to pre and post enrichment levels. The most effective treatment in reducing stereotypic behaviour was the spinning tube device which almost eliminated all stereotypic behaviour. The second was the wobble tree device, followed by scatter feeding. A possible explanation for the observed differences may be the complexity of the enrichment and the bear’s ability to efficiently obtain food. The wobble tree device proved a challenging enrichment device for Matahari who was unable to fully grasp the concept of shaking the tree for the food reward to spill through. The spinning tube device proved successful for Matahari’s use and she was able to investigate and successfully manipulate this device with ease. The enrichment treatment to increase scatter feeding to encourage foraging behaviour was not as effective in reducing stereotypic behaviour, compared to the use of enrichment devices. Matahari was often seen foraging for the scatter feed quickly and resuming her stereotypic behaviour. The highest incidence of investigative behaviour was seen during the wobble tree enrichment and Matahari was also observed exploring and shaking other tree structures during this time. This observation was similar to those by Law & Kitchener (2002) that the wobble tree encouraged increased investigation of the wobble tree and in turn reduced stereotypic pacing.

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The type of feeding task may affect its success at reducing stereotypy (Swaisgood & Shepherdson, 2006). The same study also suggested that feeding extraction tasks were less successful at reducing stereotypes, even for primates; and extraction based enrichment for carnivores were even more limited. Other authors have also suggested that search based feeding tasks like scattering or hiding feeds that challenge the bears’ primary senses, such as smell have proved more effective for reducing stereotypes (O’Grady et al., 1990; Usher-Smith & Kolter, 1998; Grandia et al., 2001). Carlstead et al. (1991) also found that creating a more challenging environment for bears to find their food, where they have to manipulate items within the exhibit or search for hidden items, reduces the time they indulge in stereotypic behaviour. For instance, time spent investigating and manipulating honey-filled logs replaced pacing in a Sloth bear. In contrast, a compressed air driven mechanical feeder used in this study had no impact on pacing. Contrary to these findings, results from this study showed that food extraction based enrichment i.e. spinning tube and wobble tree were more effective at reducing stereotypes than food search based enrichment i.e. scatter feeding. This may be due to species or individual differences (which could not be investigated in this study due to limited sample size) but could at least suggest that the intellectual capacity of bears has been underestimated in the consideration of environmental enrichment methods for these species. This was also noted by Law & Reid (2010) that the realization that bears have complex behavioural requirements, that are every bit as demanding as primates, and need to be provided with more challenging and complex conditions in captivity to maintain good mental and physical condition, has only been a recent afterthought. The implementation of effective enrichment for captive bears should take into consideration their ability to manipulate extraction based devices of suitable complexity.

AcknowledgementWe would like to thank animal keepers from Singapore Zoo’s Section 4, Cat

Country: Marno Azis, Sarah Chin, Hikmat Siliwangi, Janet Hong and Usop; Subash Chandran, Biswajit Guha and the management of Wildlife Reserves Singapore for their support of this study.

ReferencesAltmann, J. 1974. Observational study of behavior: sampling methods. Behavior. 49: 227-267. Boorer, M. K. 1972. Some aspects of stereotyped patterns of movement exhibited by zoo animals. International Zoo Yearbook. 12: 164–168.Carlstead, K., Seidensticker, J., & Baldwin, R. 1991. Environmental Enrichment for Zoo Bears. Zoo Biology. 10: 3-16.Clubb, R., & Mason, G. 2003. Captivity effects on wide-ranging carnivores. Nature. 425: 473-474.

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yDobberstine, J., & Shepherdson, D. 1994. Food-Scattering for Zoo Bears: Does it Really Work? The Shape of Enrichment. 3: 9-10.Forthman, D. L., Elder, S. D., Bakeman, R., Kurkowski, T. W., Noble, C. C., & Winslow, S. W. 1992. Effects of feeding enrichment on behavior of three species of captive bears. Zoo Biology. 11: 187–195.Grandia, P. A., VanDijk, J. J., & Koene, P. 2001. Stimulating natural behavior in captive bears. Ursus. 12: 199–202.Kolter, L. 1995. Control of behaviour and the development of disturbed behaviour patterns. In U. Gansloβer, J. K. Hodges & W. Kaumanns. (Eds.). Research and Captive Propagation. pp. 248-255. Finlander Verlag, Furth.Kolter, L., & Zander, R. 1995. Potential and limitations of environmental enrichment in managing behavioural problems of polar bears. In B. Holst (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. pp.131-141. Copenhagen Zoo, Copenhagen, DenmarkLaw, G., & Kitchener, A. 2002. Simple enrichment techniques for bears, bats and elephants–untried and untested. International Zoo News. 49: 4–12.Law, G., & Reid, A. 2010. Enriching the lives of bears in zoos. International Zoo Yearbook. 44: 65-74.Markowitz, H. 1978. Engineering environments for behavioral opportunity in the zoo. Behavior Analys. 2: 34-47.Martin, P., & Bateson, P. 1986. Measuring Behavior, An introductory Guide. Second edition Published by Cambridge University Press.Mason, G. J. 1993. Forms of stereotypic behaviour. In A. B. Lawrence & J. Rushen (Eds). Stereotypic Animal Behaviour: Fundamentals and Applications to Animal Welfare. pp. 7–40. CAB Int., Wallingford.Mason, G., & Rushen, J. 2006. Stereotypies in Captive Animals: Fundamentals and Implications for Welfare (second edition). CAB International, Wallingford.Meyer-Holzapfel, M. 1968. Abnormal behavior in zoo animals. In M.W. Fox & W.B. Saunders (Eds). Abnormal behavior in Animals. pp. 476-502. Philadelphia, PA.Swaisgood, R., & Shepherdson, D. 2006. Environmental enrichment as a strategy for mitigating stereotypies in zoo animals: a literature review and meta-analysis.In G. Mason & J Rushen (Eds). Stereotypic animal behaviour: fundamentals and applications to welfare.pp. 256–285. CAB Int., Wallingford.Usher-Smith, J., & Kolter, L. 1998. Environmental enrichment – methods of improving old enclosures and keeping new ones stimulating. In Kolter, L. (Ed.). EEP ursid husbandry guidelines. Zoologischer Garten Köln.van Keulen-Kromhout, G. 1978. Zoo Enclosures for bears: their influence on captive behavior and reproduction. International Zoo Year-Book. 18: 177-186. Vickery, S., & Mason, G. 2004. Stereotypic Behavior in Asiatic Black bears and Malayan Sun Bears. Zoo Biology. 23: 409-430. Young, R. J. 2003. Environmental Enrichment for captive animals. UFAW Animal Welfare Series. Blackwell Science Ltd.

Diana Marlena1, Gaytri Meriange2 and John Sha Chih Mun3

1Singapore Zoo, 2Temasek Polytechnic, 3Wildlife Reserves SingaporeContact: john.sha@wrs.com.sg

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Memories of Theodore (“Ted”) H. Reed, DVM

By William A. Xanten and Judith Block*

Photo: NZP Archives, Smithsonian’s National Zoo 1973

I (WAX) first met Theodore H Reed, DVM, in 1956 shortly after he had become Acting Director of the National Zoological Park in Washington, DC. At that time I had just started working at the Zoo and was assigned as a keeper in the Bird House. I remember him coming up to me and introducing himself. I believe his exact words were, “Hi, I’m Dr. Reed but you can call me Ted.” I worked for Dr. Reed for 27 years and was privileged to participate and assist him with the total transformation of the National Zoo.

I do not believe I ever saw Dr. Reed get really angry but when I was a keeper in the Lion House, he would often come through the building and when I would say, “Good morning Dr. Reed” he would reply, in a gruff voice “What’s good about it?”. For many months I would hide whenever he entered the building.

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Dr. Reed had a very difficult job. (I was very familiar with the Zoo, having grown up in Washington, DC and spending much of my youth there.) The Zoo had a very large collection but the animals were housed in extremely old and, in many cases, dilapidated buildings and enclosures. In addition, there was a small staff compared to today’s standards and many of the staff caring for the collection had not completed high school.

The budget was small and had been for many years. In fact, the Assistant Director would return money to the District government that had not been spent at the end of the year. He thought it made the Zoo look good but, of course, it caused the budget to decrease every year. This was just one of the problems that faced Dr. Reed.

Dr. Reed seemed to have the outline of how he viewed the overall renewal of the National Zoo and he went about pursuing these plans shortly after formally taking over as Director in March 1958.

The tragic death of a child by a lion in May 1958 was the catalyst that allowed Dr. Reed to approach the United States Congress and appeal for more funding. He described the dilapidated conditions and lack of adequate fencing which had been the cause of the accident. He used the increased money allocated by Congress to install new guardrails around every animal enclosure that was deemed necessary.

Now Dr. Reed was ready to put into effect his dreams for the National Zoo.

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At the time, Zoo staff salaries were budgeted by the District of Columbia (DC) government. He was able to transfer control of the Zoo’s budget from the DC government to the Smithsonian Institution, which made a huge difference in how the Zoo would be funded well into the future. Also, he helped a group of people living in the neighborhood start a support group which became Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), to aid the Zoo.

Dr. Reed learned early how to work with Congress. He would bring a young, cute animal (often accompanied by a young, female staffer) when he testified at the budget hearings. As a result, the budget increased substantially each year. He could now increase the keepers’ salaries and hire more experienced animal staff. In 1962 he hired one of the first educators within the zoo community, brought on board a full time veterinarian and created a scientific research department. A Zoo pathologist was hired in 1968.

Authority for planning and construction was transferred from the DC government to the Smithsonian in 1966 and Dr. Reed was able to begin a total renovation of the entire upper area of the Zoo. Large pens for hoofed stock, which had been constructed in the early 1900s, were demolished and three new areas for ungulates – the hardy hoof area, the deer area and the delicate hoofed stock building – were built. In addition, the Bird House was renovated and an award-winning outdoor flight cage was erected. A major change during this period was the relocation of the road which had allowed visitors to drive through the center of the Zoo. A new road was constructed on the north side of the Zoo and numerous new

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parking areas were positioned down its length. The entire area that had been the old vehicular road was turned into a pedestrian walkway, called Olmsted Walk, named for Frederick Law Olmsted, the original architect of the Zoo. As a result of this change, nearly 80% of all the animal exhibits faced the central walkway.

Thus began a most incredible rebuilding of the National Zoo which we watched with astonishment. In the 1970s the Elephant House was remodeled. The bear exhibits located just off of Olmsted Walk were demolished; the Valley area was completely redone to house pinnipeds, beavers, otters, cheetahs and a small exhibit for small species of bears. All of these new exhibits were constructed using naturalistic rock work. At the same time, a new area for forest carnivores was constructed tying Olmsted Walk to the lower Valley area and a new polar bear exhibit. A completely new big cat exhibit was built on the site of the original 1880’s Lion House. The 1920’s era primate house was thoroughly gutted and glass-fronted exhibits were installed along with new outdoor enclosures. A new Great Ape house was built for gorillas and orangutans. In the early 1980’s the Small Mammal and Reptile Houses were both remodeled and a new, large netted exhibit was constructed for gibbons. A large moated exhibit with “falling waters” modeled after a design by Frank Lloyd Wright was built and housed macaques. During this period of renovation, Dr. Reed also managed to focus on other major needs for the Zoo constructing a maintenance building, a new veterinary hospital and research facility. A new administration building was built to house his staff and the FONZ staff, with a large auditorium to be used for public programs. It replaced Holt House, an old building located up a steep hill, away from the main area that had functioned as the administration building for nearly 60 years. In fewer than 20 years Dr. Reed had overseen the design and implementation of a Master Plan for the physical structure of the entire Zoo.

Many modern zoo conservation practices came about during Dr. Reed’s tenure. For example, in the late 1960’s the Wild Animal Propagation Trust (WAPT) was a legal instrument developed to take confiscated orangutans and place them at appropriate zoos in the United States under trusteeship rather than individual ownership; it was administered by the Zoo. The Trust no longer exists but the concept was a precursor of programs to come. In the 1970s Dr. Reed convened the Zoo East Species Trust (ZEST) with the Bronx and Philadelphia zoos. The purpose of ZEST was to compare animal inventories and develop joint breeding programs for the species held in common. At the first ZEST meeting the seminal paper on inbreeding depression was presented and spiritedly debated. The concept of joint programs hinged on being able to identify individual specimens and having standardized inventories, concepts which Dr. Reed supported both within the three zoos and as president of the International Union of Directors of Zoological Gardens (IUDZG). ZEST was disbanded but the ideas of joint breeding programs and records keeping are very much a part of the modern zoo community.

The Zoo was in the vanguard and became a leader in programs and publications. In the late 1960’s the scientific staff worked on field projects in Sri Lanka and Madagascar. An early symposium on lion marmosets (1969) led to solving the

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captive management problems of golden lion tamarins, then to cooperative breeding in zoos around the world and, ultimately, to the reintroduction of zoo-born animals into the forests of Brazil; it was a program that became a model for zoo conservation. The Zoo hosted many scientific symposia. Numerous husbandry, veterinary, behavior, reproductive and other scientific areas were being explored by the staff and their findings published in a variety of journals.

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Dr. Reed was a hands-on Director with a thorough knowledge of the workings of the staff and great attention to detail. I (JB) had come to the Zoo in 1967 and by 1970 I was the records keeper (a precursor to the position of registrar). The year the giant pandas arrived, I prepared the annual inventory and sent it to Dr. Reed as usual. He called me into his office and in a gentle way pointed out that I had left off the pandas. As I sat there mortified, he went on to say that one early year the Zoo had forgotten to count the elephants. He was a very kind man and a thoughtful supervisor.

Dr. Reed’s greatest accomplishment (second perhaps to his coup in getting giant pandas for the National Zoo) and a dream of his almost from the beginning, was to have a large facility which could maintain herds of animals for the study and conservation of endangered species. After three years of searching, he obtained a 3,100-acre, vacated agricultural station in Front Royal, Virginia. With the acquisition of the National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center in 1973, his dream was realized.

Dr. Reed hired the best curators and keeper staff, veterinarians, scientists and educators. He made sure that the staff was well-trained, motivated and supported. He sent them to visit zoos worldwide to view collections, learn how exhibits were designed and how public programs were presented. His vision of what a zoo should and could be shaped all who worked for him and many, in turn, went on to other zoos; his ideas are present today in many forms and places. Those of us, who worked for him, and, indeed many in the zoo world, are grateful for his leadership and forward thinking.

Dr. Reed was born 25 July 1922 and died 2 July 2013. He began his career at the Zoo in 1955 as veterinarian, became Acting Director in 1956 upon the retirement of then-Director William Mann, and was appointed Director of the Zoo in 1958. Dr. Reed was Director of the National Zoological Park from 1958 to 1983. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Sandra Foote, his son, Mark Reed, Executive Director, Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, Kansas; and daughter Maryalyce Jenkins...

* William A. Xanten, Retired General Curator, National Zoological Park. Email: fennec01@comcast.netJudith Block, Retired Registrar National Zoological ParkEmail: jblock222@gmail.com

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sir, I was very interested to read John Pickard`s article on the rehabilitation of a

Eurasian Brown Bear, in the last edition (vol. 60/3 no; 400, May/June 2013).So I thought the following additional background information, and some thoughts

of my own, might be of interest.A friend of mine sent me a report of his visit to Split Zoo in the Summer of 2012 ,

which contained photographs of the two bear cages (adjoining each other), each cage containing a single Eurasian Brown Bear at that time.

I have also seen a visitor`s video footage of the three original bears taken in 2009, two were housed together in the first cage and one in the second cage. In the video footage of the first cage it shows two bears – the smaller bear, had a lighter coloured head –like “Medena”,standing up on two legs briefly and twisting around, just as they might do when they are “dancing with their trainer”, this would seem to indicate that this was in fact “Medena” ? The larger and darker bear appeared to be the dominant animal (male ?), this cage-mate could be another reason for her nervousness and in the article some “conflict with another bear “ was noted. So by early 2011 all three were still there and then in May “Medena” departed, leaving the two remaining bears, one now occupying each cage. The animals were exhibiting stereotyped pacing and nervousness, their enclosures were barren, concreted, square, metal- barred cages, which were set a little lower down from the path alongside, so the visitor looked slightly down into them. The roof was barred but not covered, they had access (when it was not shut off) to a concrete den at the back of each cage. Each cage had a single wooden platform in the corner only, and contrary to the article, I did see a square concrete water container on the floor of the first cage in the video footage – though admittedly I didn`t see much water in it! My friend said he witnessed a keeper hosing down these cages with the bears still in them, this would explain why “Medena” reacted badly to the use of a hose for cleaning in her vicinity as John Pickard`s article says, she also “disliked heavy rain” and perhaps she had been often exposed to rain at Split Zoo as the cages were not covered ? The poor housing, and the way in which the bears were managed and kept may further explain her nervous disposition ?

I know that in some other sub-standard European collections (and indeed in other countries), it has often been regarded as “normal practice” to perform a quick clean, of carnivores enclosures in particular, in this manner without moving the occupants first., which is both unnecessary and quite stressful for the animals concerned. I noted in the article that “Medena” appeared to be used to show some comfort at

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seeing visitors when they were seen, the author mentions that “ it is quite possible that visitors had formed quite a chunk of her daily stimulus” – I would suggest that is very true indeed, in fact it was probably her only stimulus! The diet listed in the article is quite shocking but would help to explain her poor dentition, though equally she could have lost some of the incisor teeth during her earlier life at the hands of the dancing bear trainer perhaps ? Another factor is of course her age, being twenty-one years old.

It is interesting, and quite sad, that she appeared to show no interest in the variety of normally very tasty food items to bears such as the fresh fish and meat in particular. To me this indicates that she had never been offered or experienced these foods before either at Split Zoo or before then ? That said I would have still expected any bear to find the smells of such foods irresistible normally even if they had not come across them before so this is rather odd.

It is very good to read that “Medena” has been offered a better standard of life now at the rescue centre, despite her problems from her previous life, she will no doubt adapt to and hopefully enjoy her new life given proper care and plenty of time. She still obviously has some deep-rooted stereotypical behaviours, despite her new improved surroundings – I have worked with stereotyped Polar Bears in my zoo career and although we did manage to reduce some of the stereotypical behaviours we did not stop them completely, and in all honesty I do not believe you can stop them completely once they are well established, unfortunately bears seem to be one of the worse offenders when it comes to stereotypical behaviour in zoos.

Split Zoo is set within 1.6 acres of the gardens of Vrh Mijan on the side of Mount Marjan, a museum opened on the site in 1924 and the zoo followed in 1928. The present zoo director is Mr Nediljko Zevrnja. Unfortunately Split Zoo is infamous for its rather poor reputation, which has been well documented elsewhere. The zoo have apparently been actively trying to reduce the amount of larger animals since 2006 following many years of protests both from the public and from anti-zoo groups. The general standards and conditions are poor, the animal housing is below standard with no enrichment and the welfare of the animals has been sadly neglected in many cases, to give one example; the small group of four Eurasian Wolves which were noted by a visitor in 2011 had open sores on their ears – yet they still had large open sores on their ears a year later, and in that time two wolves had gone, maybe departed or died ? The zoo is not regulated by any zoo body and is not a member of EAZA.

Paul Irven

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BOOK REVIEWTHE STORY OF COLCHESTER ZOO by S.C. Kershaw. 2013. The History Press, Gloucestershire, England. 288 pp. Paperback. Illustrated. ISBN 978-0-7524-9346-6. Price: £14.99

On the shelves that line my study are many books on zoo history. Staring down at me as I write these words are works on Edinburgh, Dudley, Bristol, Paignton, and Chester Zoos, as well as the Cotswold Wildlife Park and, of course, numerous tomes on London and Whipsnade Zoos, but until recently one major U.K. zoo has been missing, inexplicably overlooked by authors and zoo historians. Now, at long last, that glaring omission has been filled.

Published to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of Colchester Zoo in 2013, this is, strangely enough, the very first book to deal with this important zoological garden. Why this should be so is not immediately obvious, when there have been books published on almost every other major British zoo, and quite a few of the smaller ones too. The only possible explanation I can offer is that a major problem confronting any prospective author of a book about the history of Colchester Zoo has always been the dearth of information available in the archives about the first twenty years of the Zoo’s existence under the original owners, Frank and Helena Farrar, who founded the Zoo in 1963. Notoriously they

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did not keep records, as the current owners, the Tropeano family, found out to their dismay when they bought the business exactly two decades later, in 1983. Not only could the Farrars produce no accounts, scrapbooks of newspaper cuttings, or records of anything that had ever happened at the Zoo, but no records existed on the animal collection and no one could remember with any certainty where each animal had come from, when it had arrived, or even whether it belonged to Colchester Zoo or was on breeding loan from another zoo.

Colchester Zoo was probably my induction into the world of zoos. I cannot remember which zoo was the first one I ever visited, but Colchester, being fairly local, is a strong candidate. As a young child, I was taken there for the first time in the latter half of the 1960s when the Zoo was only a few years old, and the impact of that early visit cannot be overstated, because it engendered in me an appreciation of the natural world and ignited an obsession with zoos that has never left me. I have been going back regularly ever since.

It has been obvious to me for a long time now that there should be a book about Colchester Zoo, and for a while I even dallied with the idea of writing such a book myself, but, having looked it over, quickly dismissed the idea without having written a word. The thought of having to discover sufficient material from the obscure Farrar era to fill the first half of the book was just too daunting.

Fortunately, Mr Sam Kershaw was not dissuaded so easily. I was pleased when I heard this young man, a volunteer at the Zoo, was tackling the subject, but I did wonder if he fully realised the enormity of the task he had set himself. It comes as a great relief to me that I did not pursue the idea of writing the history of Colchester Zoo myself because Mr Kershaw has produced a far superior job of it than I could have done. He has done exceptionally well to uncover a wealth of fascinating information about the Zoo’s formative years. Somehow he has managed to disinter information seemingly lost for ever and track down witnesses from those early days.

The story of Colchester Zoo begins in 1953, when the Farrars open a small, unremarkable, zoo at Southport, on the other side of the country. A decade later, having outgrown themselves, they buy the estate of Stanway Hall, just outside Colchester. Frank Farrar, for all his faults, emerges in these pages as a capable and ambitious, if sometimes impetuous, man who recognised the fickle nature of the average zoo visitor and was astute enough to realise that to ensure people would keeping returning to his zoo over and over again, it was necessary to keep adding to the exhibits, even if, as occasionally happened, his aim exceeded his reach. In the early 1970s, concluding he needed a new star attraction to wow visitors, he began to ponder the possibilities. Any other zoo director of the time might have considered gorillas, perhaps even dolphins, neither of which were, or ever have been, represented at Colchester and both would have been guaranteed crowd-pullers. They would also have been more attainable than the species he did set his sights on obtaining. With breathtaking impudence, he simply sat down and composed a letter to the Chinese leader, Chairman Mao, with a request for that holy grail of zoo animals, the giant panda. Not surprisingly, Mao did not deign to furnish him with a

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reply but, undaunted, Farrar told the newspapers that he was planning a trip to the Far East anyway and, if he had time, would be dropping in on Mao to chivvy him along a bit.

It is stories like these that cause Frank Farrar to grow, not shrink, in one’s estimation. One can only admire a man with so much self-believe – or self-delusion – that he imagines he can influence somebody like Mao. When a national dock strike in 1972 caused some white rhinos Farrar was importing from South Africa to become stranded en route to Colchester and other zoos, he managed to cajole the picketing dockers to open the London docks just long enough to get the fifteen pachyderms through.

1971 saw the birth of the first of Colchester Zoo’s famous ‘zedonks’, which Farrar, with an eye firmly on the gate receipts, claimed was the first time a zebra had hybridised with a domestic donkey and, even though this was untrue, he believed Colchester Zoo’s zedonks (two more foals were subsequently born in 1973 and 1975) to be unique. What is indisputable, though, is that people flocked to Colchester Zoo to see these novelties.

Other new arrivals during this period, whilst not as dramatic as the zedonks, were even more surprising, such as a group of six-legged tortoises that arrived in 1972. Kershaw mentions the tortoises only briefly in passing, and without explanation, and I should have liked to know more about them, but I suspect that old bugbear, Frank’s reluctance to keep records, means that precise details are lost in the mists of time, although I suppose it is at least possible, tortoises being the Methuselahs of the animal kingdom, that some of these strange hexapods may still be alive somewhere.

As the 1970s wore on, a gradual but inexorable decline set in. By then the excitement that had attended its opening, and the dynamism of the early years, were fading memories. It was no longer seen as the premier attraction it once was. Somewhere along the way it had lost its oomph. Owing to ill health, Frank Farrar was forced to relinquish the baton in 1983, and the Zoo was sold to Dominique Tropeano who, as it so happened, was married to Frank’s niece, Angela, and so began a new era as, slowly at first but with increasing momentum, the Tropeanos embarked on a programme of modernisation, transforming what had been allowed to become a lacklustre, mediocre animal collection, into a modern vibrant zoological garden that today rates as one of the most popular and go-ahead in Britain. Often when I ask people to name their favourite zoo, they say ‘Colchester Zoo’.

Every zoo has its share of misfortune and tragedy but all too often such unfortunate occurrences are exorcised from the official history when it comes to be written. In ‘authorised’ books in particular there is a temptation for the author to present a sanitised version of the truth, so it comes as a relief to find that, although the present book has the full support and approval of the Tropeano family, the author tells the story with refreshing candour and does not flinch from relating some of the sadder incidents, but countering the inevitable setbacks and disappointments are the heartening triumphs of which there are many, arguably the most important being the birth of Colchester Zoo’s first elephant calf as a result of artificial insemination.

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This was the first time an elephant had been born in Britain following A.I., and the first in the world on the initial attempt. Since the well-publicised birth of Kito, as the calf was named, in 2002, there have been other elephants born at the Zoo, conceived by natural means. In 2009, Colchester Zoo’s first rhino was born, 37 years after the species arrived there. Like Kito, the calf was the very first to be born in Britain from artificial insemination.

Mr Kershaw correctly places the Zoo in a historical context, showing how the town of Colchester has developed in synchrony with the Zoo that bears its name. He describes the effect on the Zoo of such nationwide calamities as the unprecedented big freeze of 1963, the industrial unrest of the 1970s, the infamous ‘hurricane’ of 1987 (the Meteorological Office, galling from its inability to predict the storm until it struck with devastating force in the early hours of the morning,

still dispute this exceptionally strong gale was officially a hurricane), and the foot and mouth crisis of 2001 when the enforced closure of the Zoo nearly brought about its financial ruination. He looks at how the Zoo is helping to assist animals in the wild state through its charitable arm, called Action for the Wild, and discusses its most important contribution to in situ conservation: the establishment of the UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve in South Africa. He also examines how people’s perception of Colchester Zoo has changed over the years, how visitors drifted away during the decline of the late ’70s and early ’80s, and how enticing them back was Dominique Tropeano’s most pressing, but also most problematical, task when he took up the reins.

Mr Kershaw shows himself to be a clever, skilful and insightful writer with a smooth prose style and a novelist’s flair for analogy. As he makes clear, Colchester Zoo is a survivor. It was fortunate to have fallen into the hands of a family determined to take an ailing zoo, shake it up, and mould it into one of the finest zoos in Europe. But I should add it has been blessed with luck in another important respect, too – lucky to have found such a capable, articulate writer to tell its story at last, and tell it in such an engaging way.

Russell Tofts

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INTERNATIONAL ZOO NEWS

Edinburgh Zoo, United KingdomOn July 22nd, Edinburgh Zoo celebrated its 100th anniversary with a series of

events aimed to give visitors, including children, the chance to reconnect to the natural world. The floral clock was a highlight of the celebrations.

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Bristol Zoo, United KingdomA recent study set up by Bristol Zoo and the University of Bristol in collaboration

with the University of Torino has shown that an endangered species of Madagascan lemur uses the alarm calls of birds and other lemurs to warn it of the presence of predators. This is the first time this phenomenon has been observed in a solitary and nocturnal lemur species.

Very little is known about the Sahamalaza sportive lemur (Lepilemur sahamalazensis), other than the fact it roosts during the day in rather open situations, such as tree holes, therefore risks falling victim to predators from both the air and the ground.

Photo: Melanie Seiler

Sportive lemurs are not kept in any zoo. Prior to this research virtually nothing was known about this particular species, despite the fact that it has been classified as Critically Endangered, the top threat category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, at a red-listing workshop in Madagascar in July 2012.

Dr Melanie Seiler, researcher at Bristol Zoo and the University of Bristol, and lead author of the study, says,‘We were seeking any information we could gather that could help us understand this species better, with the objective of improving targeted conservation efforts’.

‘One of the problems of small nocturnal species is that they don’t get a great deal of scientific or conservation attention. The Sahamalaza sportive lemur doesn’t have striking blue eyes like blue-eyed black lemurs or any other unusual features,’

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continued Melanie. ‘That means that no-one had really looked into what these animals need to survive.’

Dr Marc Holderied from University of Bristol said: "Until our study, a solitary and nocturnal lemur species had never been tested to see if it could understand other species' alarm calls and differentiate between them. We were also the first to test any species of lemur to see if it could recognise the alarm calls of a non-primate species."

The researchers found that the vigilance of sportive lemurs significantly increased after they heard playbacks of the alarm calls of the crested coua and the Madagascar magpie-robin. They also responded with increased vigilance to the aerial alarm calls of the blue-eyed black lemur, scanning towards the sky but never the ground which suggests they classified the alarm call correctly.

The lemurs of Sahamalaza National Park in northwest Madagascar are threatened by deforestation, hunting and forest fragmentation. Bristol Zoo is working to preserve the small bits of forest, roughly 200 hectares on the Sahamalaza Peninsula, that they have left, which is vitally important for the continued survival of this and other lemur species.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Calgary Zoo, CanadaDamage caused by recent flooding had resulted in the zoo’s closure and the relo-

cation of many of its animals, but the zoo has now partly reopened and visitors can see about one third of the collection. The flood caused $60 million in damages and lost revenue. Zoo officials let 300 workers go and 34 animals were shipped out of town. The disaster may have had one positive side effect. Their male Asian elephant, Spike, is going to Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida.

Denver Zoo, USAThe third African lion has died from cancer in 2013 and another two are believed to

be infected. On June 19th, Rian, a 15-year-old male from South Africa, succumbed to cancer that started in his spleen. Cancerous cysts took the life of a 15-year-old female named Tawny in February.

Highland Wildlife Park, United KingdomThe Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie, which is owned and operated by the Royal

Zoological Society of Scotland, is delighted to have won funding support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The funding of £51,700 will go towards a redevelopment and engagement project to enhance the Park’s infrastructure, interpretation and education.

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Cincinnati Zoo, USAThere are only two Sumatran rhinos in North America and these are siblings.

Scientists at Cincinnati’s Linder Center for Conservation & Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) are hoping to have the siblings mate to help save the species.

Maryland Zoo, USAThe Maryland Zoo in Baltimore has commenced building a new penguin exhibit

which will eventually allow it to house 100 penguins.The new $10 million exhibit will encompass 1.5 acres in the middle of the zoo

adjacent to the current entrance to The African Journey exhibit and is scheduled to open in late 2014 or 2015. Currently, the zoo has 47 African penguins.

Costa RicaBoth Simón Bolívar Zoo and the Conservation Center of Santa Ana will close in

May 2014 for renovations, and will reopen under new management. Environment Minister René Castro announced he will move to convert San José’s Simón Bolivar Zoo into a botanical garden and remove all of its animals. The zoo will be turned into a biological education center and the conservation center will become a 51-hectare forest reserve with an artificial lake. The zoos’ animals, which include monkeys, a jaguar and an African lion, will be distributed throughout the country’s animal rescue centers.

IndiaMinister for Forests of the state of Karnataka in South West India issued a statement

that 129 people had lost their lives following attacks by wild animals in the last three years in the State.

Forty-one people lost their lives in 2010-11, 22 in 2011-12, 50 in 2012-13 and 16 so far this year, he said. Statistics showed that 520 people were injured by wild animals during this period, and the attacks had left 51 others permanently disabled.

In the same vein, 203 wild animals were killed in the same period, the Minister said in a written reply.

PakistanA recent workshop was attended by officials from the Lahore Zoo, Lahore Zoo

Safari, Karachi Zoo and the Lamar Wildlife Park (in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa). Under discussion was the need for a national zoo association.

The participants agreed that the association could play a significant role towards improving coordination between zoos and provide them opportunities to share expertise and adopt best management practices. The association could also monitor the setting up of zoos, their administration and the quality of care and safety of captive wild animals in the country.

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Niabi Zoo, USAThe only elephants at the Illinois zoo will have to find a new home.The Niabi Zoo lost its accreditation last year after the Association of Zoos and

Aquariums said some exhibits, including the elephant enclosure, were lacking. Sophie and Babe, who are 37 and 40, need a bigger barn and warmer temperatures — particularly as they get older.

Officials at the western Illinois zoo aren’t sure where the elephants will go, to another facility or a sanctuary, but hope to have the pair in their new home in time for winter.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, AustraliaTaronga Western Plains Zoo is calling for artists to submit a creative design for

one of 75 Wild! Rhino sculptures that will feature across Sydney and the local region from February to April next year.

“We are looking for artists from all kinds of art forms, from fine art to graffiti, new media to mosaic, embroidery to metal work.” the zoo’s general manager, Matthew Fuller said.

“At the end of the event the Wild! Rhino sculptures will go under the hammer at a charity auction to raise critical funds for the zoo’s rhino conservation programs,” Mr Fuller said.

The mass public art exhibition will help raise awareness for the plight of all rhino species and raise valuable funds for Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s world-leading black rhino breeding program and in-situ conservation projects.

Greater Vancouver Zoo, CanadaThe zoo has been able to donate $55,000 to three endangered animal conservation

causes all over the world thanks to its “Quarters for Conservation Program.”Twenty-five cents from each general admission price was allocated into the “Q4C”

program between August 2011 and December 2012. The program was started to generate funds supporting field conservation projects for endangered species locally and internationally.

Additionally, guests are encouraged to learn more about each program by visiting the three interactive spiral wishing wells near the front entrance. There, they can make a decision about which program they wish to support by contributing to save the endangered species in the wild.

“We are just thrilled with the funding to date and it goes without saying that, even small change can make a huge difference to help save these wonderful endangered species,” said Jody Henderson, general manager.

After careful consideration was given, three projects were selected: The Guatemalan yellow-naped Amazon parrot; the Indian Hornbill Nest Adoption Program and the Iranian Cheetah Project.

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Johannesburg Zoo, South AfricaThe South African zoo has launched the world’s first Twitter account for a honey

badger.BG, who started tweeting last month, has more than 9,000 followers on his @

zootweetslive Twitter account. The nocturnal animal, who tweets from his new high tech enclosure, promotes the zoo and offers news and information about forthcom-ing events. Infrared sensors in BG’s enclosure pick up his location and automatically trigger tweets, detailing what he is up to or thinking at that very moment.

Oklahoma City Zoo, USAZoo visitors can touch and feed stingrays at the zoo’s new Stingray Bay exhibit.

The exhibit has only been open about a week and already has become popular with visitors. On a recent weekday afternoon a steady stream of adults and kids wait to touch the rays and feed them.

“The animals are doing well, and the water is in good shape,” exhibit supervisor Michelle Komarek said. “I think the people who have come in to experience it have enjoyed themselves. Feeding a stingray isn’t something you get to do every day.”

The rays have their barbs trimmed. Komarek said it’s not unlike trimming a fin-gernail.

New ZealandThe Environmental Protection Authority has set new rules for keeping animals in

zoos. The change will mean a standard set of rules will apply to all animals approved for containment in zoos, where in the past there were different rules for different species and different situations.

The new rules are outcome based, which means the focus is on making sure zoos contain their animals properly, rather than providing prescriptive rules about how they contain them. They include requirements for facilities to have written documentation to show they are complying. They will have to prove their management practices and finances are robust enough to care for their animals in the long term.

Every facility will have to document staff training, and ensure they have the right level containment for their animals.

The new controls will come into force in a year’s time.

Tete d’Or Zoo, FranceTwo zoo Asian elephants have been saved from euthanasia in France after a public

outcry - and have now been moved to live with Monaco’s royal family.Princess Stephanie of Monaco agreed to have Baby and Nepal, aged 42 and 43,

live at the royal family’s Roc Agel ranch in the Alpes-Maritimes region of southern France. It had been decided that the elephants would be put to sleep after developing a suspected case of tuberculosis.

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Whipsnade Zoo, United KingdomChimpanzees Phil and Nikki at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire have become

the first in the UK to be fitted with semi permanent heart monitoring devices.They were chosen for the study as they are closely related to two young male

chimpanzees that were diagnosed with cardiovascular abnormalities, thought to be genetic. This means that for the first time, the chimps’ hearts can be monitored while they are awake. Until now, researchers have only been able to monitor the chimps hearts while they are sedated.

The data is sent to Cardiff Metropolitan University, which plans to analyse the information over a period of time. They hope that this will help them to understand why heart defects occur in chimps, if they can be prevented, and how they can be treated. The study is part of the International Primate Heart Project, which focuses on cardiac health in great apes. Researchers say that apes in captivity have been known to die of cardiac disease, but that they do not know why. They hope that the study at Whipsnade will help them to come up with a solution.

Berlin Zoo, GermanyThe Berlin Zoo-Aquarium celebrates 100 years on August 18th, 2013. The

Aquarium has witnessed both political and scientific history during its lifetime and to mark this centennial event a book, 'Picassofisch und Kompassqualle – 100 Jahre Zoo-Aquarium Berlin', with over three hundred pictures is being published by Dr. Bernhard Blaszkiewitz, the Berlin Zoo director.

Lincoln Park Zoo, USAScientists at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo are raising meadow jumping mice and

releasing them into the wild to help restore dwindling Midwestern prairies.Biologists say only 1 percent of historical prairie grasslands remain in Illinois.So the zoo is raising the mice and other species to help bring back restored prairies,

including some at the Lake County Forest Preserves north of Chicago.Once the mice reach adulthood, researchers anesthetize them and attach tiny radio

collars so they can track their movements in the natural habitat, according to Allison Sacerdote-Velat, a reintroduction biologist at the zoo.

She and other scientists released several mice in late July at the Rollins Savanna forest preserve in Lake County. They hope the mice will mate and distribute the grassland seeds they eat to help spread the plant life.

“We need to restore certain wildlife species in order to keep the ecosystem functioning,” she says.

She says trackers will likely find that some mice will end up as food for owls, coyotes and other predators.

But that’s as it should be. “It’s all part of the cycle,” Sacerdote-Velat says.

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Nehru Zoological Park, IndiaThe authorities of the Nehru Zoological Park have decided to take strict measures

to prevent vandalism and teasing of animals in the zoo and thus ensure a safer environment for them. As a first step they will mount an awareness creating campaign to educate visitors to the zoo and if that doesn’t work, fines will be imposed.

A seven minute film has been made to create awareness and teach zoo ethics to visitors entering the zoo. Boards have been set up in strategic places informing visitors of what they must avoid, such as teasing and feeding animals.

“Most of those who tease the animals and shout are teenagers. We have 70-80 zoo staff and around 25 private security men and we also ask the garden staff to keep an eye out for such people,” said the curator of the zoo, A. Shankaran.

Loro Parque, SpainThe VIII. International Parrot Convention will take place between the 22nd and

25th of September, 2014 in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife (Spain). This international event will offer to all parrot lovers, breeders, scientists and veterinarians the perfect opportunity to learn about the latest parrot developments, as well as to share experiences with friends and colleagues. It will be possible to hear all lectures in four languages through simultaneous translation (Spanish, English, German and French). It will also be possible of to admire the most diverse parrot collection in the world.

Salisbury Zoological Park, USASalisbury Mayor James Ireton Jr. has announced that Ralph Piland has accepted

the city's offer to become the new director of the Salisbury Zoological Park. Starting in the late 1970s as a senior keeper in Columbia, S.C., Piland has worked

in various capacities with several zoological facilities. He worked at the Chicago Zoological Society (Brookfield Zoo) for over 20 years where he eventually became the director of operations. Since then, Piland has worked with the Arizona Zoological Society (Phoenix Zoo) where he started as the deputy director and later became the vice president and director of operations and capital plan implementation as well as the University of Phoenix where he is an associate faculty member teaching strategic management.

Chester Zoo, United KingdomA second young elephant has died at Chester Zoo in the space of four weeks.Three-year-old male Asian elephant Nayan Hi Way had been receiving veterinary

treatment after being taken ill a few days ago.Although he had appeared to be making a recovery, unfortunately his health

deteriorated and he died a short time later.Two-year-old female elephant Jamilah died at the zoo on July 3 and Dr Mark

Pilgrim, director general of Chester Zoo, said: “This is devastating news for all of us at the zoo.

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Amarillo Zoo, USAThe Texas zoo hopes to entice visitors with some odd snacks of the creepy-crawly

kind in a Saturday event. “Incredible Edible Insects” will allow visitors to sample a variety of insect-based dishes.

Among the allegedly tasty treats are superworms — the larval stage of the small ground beetle — that will be frozen, then toasted in the oven.

“They’ll have a popcorn or burnt popcorn taste. .... It’s interesting,” said zoo educator Haley Wilde. “We dip them (in chocolate) in such a manner so you can still see the legs and everything to give it that extra ‘eww’ factor.”

Also on the menu: chocolate “chirp” cookies, with toasted crickets tossed into chocolate chip cookie dough; and “six-legged surprise,” or basic, flavored toasted crickets.

Visitors can also try to break the world record for spitting a cricket, which now stands at 30 feet.

Other activities include insect displays, crafts and music by Andy Chase Cundiff.“We’re hoping they’ll get information about a lot of the different creepy-crawlies

that you’ll find in the Panhandle area,” Wilde said.

Honolulu Zoo, USAHonolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has announced that the City has hired a new

Honolulu Zoo Director, Dr. Jeffrey Mahon. Dr. Mahon graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of

Science degree in Oceanography and holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology, with a concentration in Behavioural Ecology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He has served at various underwater facilities and aquariums around the world, most recently at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center as the Director of Exhibits and Animal Husbandry.

London Zoo, United KingdomA request was made to Margaret Thatcher ahead of her top-level diplomatic

mission to China in 1982 – to bring back a panda.Newly declassified documents reveal that London Zoo needed a fertile female

panda for its breeding programme. It was already apparent that Ching Ching, the female who arrived from China with Chia Chia in the early Seventies, would not produce young. So the Prime Minister’s visit to the Far East was seen as an ideal opportunity to pick up another one.

Cabinet Secretary Robert Armstrong jotted a memo which read: “Unfortunately the female is highly unlikely ever to breed.” Adding that Chia Chia had “proved his fertility”, he went on: “London Zoo would clearly like to have a fertile female and, in due course, a baby panda.” The zoo did not get a new panda, however, and Ching Ching and Chia Chia remained cubless until they died in the Eighties.

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Pittsburgh Zoo, USAPittsburgh Zoo is pleased to present the Zoo & Aquarium Video Archive at:

http://www.zoovideoarchive.com/. The archive is a collection of interviews with individuals that have played a key role in developing zoos and aquariums across the country. The archive will include the following:

• Videotaped interviews of Directors and Director Emeritus, as well as Curators and others who have spent their lives in the service of animals. • Videotaping of any notable photographs or memorabilia • Transferring of old films or videotapes to DVD that contain footage of the zoos or aquariums. • Pre-existing interviews with other notable leaders.

If there ever was a way to honour and preserve a legacy, the Zoo & Aquarium Video Archive is a complete and multifaceted way to do so. Books can be written, but the power of listening to someone speak, to see their face, watch their expressions and hear their stories first hand has great power and connection that no other medium can duplicate. Unless we preserve these memories, the link to the past will be lost for generations to come.

Zoo animals beat the beastly heat

Photo: Chris Moiser, Tropiquaria

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RECENT ARTICLES

Brockmann, T., Hoffmann, M., and Ziemssen, E.: Erfahrungsbericht über die Haltung und deutsche Erstzucht der Borneo-Flussschildkröte (Orlitia borneensis Gray, 1873) im Zoo Dresden. (A report on the successful husbandry and breeding of Malaysian giant turtle at Dresden Zoo.) Der Zoologische Garten Vol. 82, No. 1—2 (2013), pp. 8—25. [German, with English summary. Dresden Zoo successfully bred the Malaysian giant turtle in summer 2012. This was the first successful breeding of this species in Germany. Little is known about the biology and behaviour of this large river turtle, and keeping and especially breeding this endangered species in captivity is unusual. In order to create optimal breeding conditions the zoo rebuilt an enclosure for the turtles in 2010. An area with soil and sand was built for egg deposition, and after arranged matings one female dug a nest on this area and buried her eggs. Nine eggs were pulled and transferred into an incubator in a box filled with a 1:1 mixture of vermiculite and water. The average temperature was 29ºC. After problems with temperature regulation the damaged incubator had to be replaced. Because of an estimated incubation period of 3—4 months, one egg was opened on day 127 of incubation. A live hatchling with a big yolk sac was found. Because of the non-reabsorbed yolk sac the hatchling was further incubated. On day 154 of incubation all the eggs were manually opened and the hatchlings were recovered. All of them showed a non-reabsorbed yolk sac and were incubated on in a box with wet paper towels until the yolk sac was completely reabsorbed. After that the hatchlings were housed in a box with water of approximately 4 cm depth and a small land area. Two days after housing food was offered for the first time. All the hatchlings accepted the food, both vegetable and animal products, and later turtle pellets and specially-made turtle jelly. Though little is known about breeding this species, the zoo’s success demonstrates a possible approach. But there are still things to optimize. For example, manual hatching is something that should be avoided in future. But the 100% fertilization and hatching success is promising and at the time of writing eight out of nine hatchlings are still alive.]Bucken, S.M., and Gürtler, W.-D.: Vergesellschaftung als Verhaltensbereicherung im Zoo-Soziale Interaktion und Raumnutzung bei Orang-Utans, Hulmans und Kurzkrallenottern in der Zoom Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen. (Mixed-species exhibits: an environmental enrichment for zoo animals — social interaction and spatial use of orang-utans, northern plains grey langurs and Asian small-clawed otters in Gelsenkirchen Zoo.) Der Zoologische Garten Vol. 82, No. 1—2 (2013), pp. 40—59. [Keeping different species together is getting more and more common in zoos, because it can entail several behavioural enrichment factors for the animals, as long as the enclosure meets the requirements of all species and a suitable composition of animals is living in the mix. The aim of this study is to evaluate a community of Sumatran orang-utans, northern plains grey langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) and Asian small-clawed otters. The behavioural monitoring of the animals reveals that the orang-utans spend less time in feeding behaviour and locomotion than free-ranging orang-utans, whereas the percentage of resting periods is much higher. This difference is probably caused by the easy availability of food. The langurs show ethograms whose proportions are very similar to those of free-ranging animals in the literature. In both species the juvenile individuals have

International Zoo News Vol. 60, No. 4 (2013), pp. 310-318

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higher activity levels than the adults. The analysis of the spatial use of the enclosure by the orang-utans reveals that they use about half of the area and prefer places on the ground for resting. On average the orang-utans spend around 50% of the monitored time on the ground, which is a high level for an arboreal-living species. The time spent on the ground is distinctly lower in orang-utans reared by their parents than in hand-reared individuals, who are probably affected by humans. Another influencing point is sex — adult male orang-utans spend more time on the ground. This is a fact which is also known from free-ranging animals. Related to their environment, free-ranging northern plains grey langurs show a high adaptability and the individuals in the zoo use about 70% of the enclosure and frequently use all such elements as trees, roots and ropes. Like the orang-utans, the langurs have preferred areas in the enclosure where they spend their resting periods with grooming, lactating and feeding. Generally, the Asian small-clawed otters spend less time in the enclosure than the monkeys and use less than one-third of the area. Most of the time free-ranging orang-utans live solitarily and thus it was predictable that there are few intraspecific interactions between orang-utans whereas the percentage of interactions in the langurs is higher. Northern plains grey langurs live in harem troops, and on average social interactions form more than 40% of the zoo langurs’ ethogram. Asian small-clawed otters are also highly social animals and intraspecific contacts take place very often. The analysis of the monitored interspecific interactions between all species reveals that the juvenile animals of both primate species have distinctly more interspecific contacts than the adult animals. In most cases the interactions are positive or playful contacts. In particular, friendly interactions with body contact between a 12-year-old female orang-utan and one of the juvenile langurs were often monitored. Between the adult animals agonistic contacts or submission are most common. The otters are very interested in the orang-utans and often approach them to have a sniff or pull their hair. The community of all three species is quite harmonious and serves as behavioural enrichment for all individuals. For the visitors as well, the mixed enclosure is a benefit.]Favaro, L., Gnone, G. and Pessani, D.: Postnatal development of echolocation abilities in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): temporal organization. Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 210—215. [In spite of all the information available on adult bottlenose dolphin biosonar, the ontogeny of its echolocation abilities has been investigated very little. The authors’ data suggest that the early postnatal weeks are essential for the development of echolocation abilities and that the temporal features of the echolocation click trains remain relatively stable from the seventh postnatal week up to the first year of life.]González, P.M., Gattinoni, V. & Suares, A.: Hand-feeding Protocol for Ibises and Spoonbills: A Multi-Species Experience. Animal Keepers Forum, Vol. 40, No. 6 June 2013 pp. 272-277. [Breeding notes on raising the species at the Temaikèn Foundation in Argentina and giving comprehensive recommendations about hand feeding.]Hogg, C.J., Hibbard, C., Ford, C., and Embury, A.: Species management benchmarking: outcomes over outputs in a changing operating environment. Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 230—237. [Species management has been utilized by the zoo and aquarium industry, since the mid-1990s, to ensure the ongoing genetic and demographic viability of populations, which can be difficult to maintain in the ever-changing operating environments of zoos. In 2009, the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia reviewed their species management services, focusing on addressing issues that had arisen as a result of the managed programs maturing and operating environments evolving. In summary, the project examined resourcing, policies, processes, and species to be managed. As a result, a benchmarking tool was developed (Health Check Report, HCR), which evaluated the programs against a

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set of broad criteria. A comparison of 98 managed programs between 2008 and 2011, was undertaken to ascertain the tool’s effectiveness. There was a marked decrease in programs that were designated as weak (37 down to 13) and an increase in excellent programs (24 up to 49) between the two years. Further, there were significant improvements in the administration benchmarking area (submission of reports, captive management plan development) across a number of taxon advisory groups. This HCR comparison showed that a benchmarking tool enables a program’s performance to be quickly assessed and any remedial measures applied. The increases observed in program health were mainly due to increased management goals being attained. The HCR will be an ongoing program, and as the management of the programs increases and goals are achieved, criteria will be refined to better highlight ongoing issues and ways in which these can be resolved.]Hughes, A.L., Raynes, A., Driscoll, C., and Babler, J.: Behavioral correlates of post-breeding weight change in a captive flock of American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber). Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 204—209. [A pattern of weight loss after the breeding season was observed in the majority of individuals of both sexes, but weights eventually stabilized after several months. Social dominance (as determined by a 6-month behavioral study) was a highly significant predictor of early post-breeding weight loss, with dominant individuals undergoing less severe weight loss over this period; and behavioral observations supported the hypothesis that social dominance enhanced access to food in both males and females. Later in the study period, social dominance was no longer a significant predictor of weight changes, but rather individuals that had undergone previous large weight losses seemed to spend a greater amount of time feeding in an apparent effort to offset weight loss. Over the course of the study, there was a marked decline in both the proportion of agonistic encounters that were resolved and in the proportion of agonistic encounters that occurred at the feeder. These trends occurred even though there was no evidence of a decrease in overall use of the feeder. Thus, dominance-related differences with respect to food access and post-breeding weight loss appeared to be transitory phenomena, which corrected themselves as levels of aggression eventually declined. Intervention to increase the equality of food access in the post-breeding period may not be necessary in captive flamingo flocks, since low social rank in most cases appears not to have harmful long-term consequences.]Ibler, B.: Zur Biologie und Evolution der Lebenserwartung von Tieren. (The biology and evolution of longevity in animals.) Der Zoologische Garten Vol. 82, No. 1—2 (2013), pp. 72—95. [Biodemography is an emerging field of biology. Zoos can provide a lot of exact data on mean longevity and maximum life-span. The ages of certain animal species are connected with their habitat, ecology and taxonomy. The author gives examples of ages and life-cycles for many taxonomic units, and discusses their relevance for husbandry. In the focus of the visitors’ attention many old animals become ‘animal personalities’. Often such charismatic zoo animals are elephants, hippopotamuses, bears or great apes.]Kawata, K.: Rambling thoughts on zoo animal collection and conservation: a historical perspective. Der Zoologische Garten Vol. 82, No. 1—2 (2013), pp. 26—39. [Zoo animal collections have gone through a variety of changes in recent decades. While an increasing number of species may be establishing self-sustainable populations, early specimens of some animal groups were captured and transported in wasteful and unacceptable methods, a part of history that should not be forgotten. Selection of species has shifted from individual to group decision-making processes, reflecting a different type of personnel now in charge. The fact remains, however, that zoos continue to present a popularity-driven, skewed representation of the animal kingdom to the public. Wildlife conservation has been one of the main purposes

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for zoos as well as zoo associations, both in Europe and America. In actuality, the concept of conservation is subject to individual interpretation and this is where a clear definition of zoos’ role could become rather vague. An important and worthwhile task for zoos is conservation education. To counteract deep-rooted anthropomorphism in the public’s mind is not easy, yet it is a necessary step to raise citizens’ environmental awareness. The ultimate results of conservation education include changing daily habits, as well as participation in grass-roots conservation movements, by citizens.]Kinney, M.E., Wack, R.F., Grahn, R.A., and Lyons, L.: Parthenogenesis in a Brazilian rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria). Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 172—176. [A 22-year-old captive boa gave birth to four offspring after being housed with a vasectomized male. Sexual reproduction as a result of failed prior vasectomy, recanalization of the vas deferens, or prolonged sperm storage was ruled out using the clinical history, histopathology, and gross necropsy. Short tandem repeat (STR) DNA markers were genotyped in the male, female, and four offspring. None of the offspring possessed a diagnostic STR allele present in the potential sire. In addition, all offspring were homozygous at each STR locus evaluated, supporting parthenogenetic reproduction. This is the first report of parthenogenesis in a Brazilian rainbow boa and has implications for the conservation of reptiles maintained in captive breeding programs.]Kother, G., Dempsey, S., and Stephen, I.: Enrichment and training in reptiles at ZSL London Zoo. Thylacinus Vol. 37, No. 2 (2013), pp. 6—10. [The life and welfare of captive animals can be enhanced by the unpredictability that training and enrichment create. But many people perceive these techniques to be beneficial mainly to mammals and, to a lesser degree, birds. The authors highlight some techniques that are used in London Zoo’s herpetology department on a wide range of reptiles and discuss their many benefits. Although there are focal species within the collection on which training and enrichment are focused, all of the animals receive various forms of environmental enrichment. Both the on- and off-show animal housing allow staff to create microhabitats where temperature, photo-period, humidity, substrate, structure, group dynamics, aesthetics, water quality and even prey selection are tailored to meet species-specific requirements to ensure the animals’ appropriate care and welfare. Simple changes made to any one of these elements can be considered environmental enrichment. The addition or subtraction of substrates to create new tactile sensations and odours, the manipulation of enclosure furniture or layout, require animals to re-establish pathways, territories and retreats; all of these modifications can impact on the animals’ natural behaviours and curiosities. The schedule that goes beyond environmental enrichment is primarily composed of a series of novel items and techniques. For example, one of the easiest forms of enrichment that can be provided to herptiles is olfactory enrichment. Herpetology staff commonly use a variety of holistic essential oils with the reptiles, ranging from lemon and basil to slightly more unusual cedarwood and ylang ylang. Because of their organic nature, oils are a safe and useful alternative to perfumes. Aside from spreading various diluted essential oils throughout enclosures, staff try to replicate the sensory enrichment the animal might encounter in the wild, such as the scent of prey or predators. A common practice is enclosure rotation. Recently, for example, various mammals have been introduced to the Komodo dragons’ enclosure. The dragons are removed from exhibit and secured in their back dens, and the mammals — meerkats, ferrets, skunks — are allowed to explore the enclosure, dig, scent-mark and urinate. This elicits the desired response from the dragons, i.e. increased activity and exploration. It also creates more naturalistic scent trails for them to navigate as if they were hunting mammalian prey. (This practice is also enriching for the mammals themselves.)

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Training is also part of the comprehensive enrichment schedule, primarily in the form of target training, but also station, box/crate, recall, name and habitual desensitisation training. These techniques allow staff to work safely with and in close proximity to dangerous species, such as large lizards, crocodilians, large constrictors and, in the future, venomous snakes. They offer a safe, easy alternative to a hands-on approach and facilitate the animals’ well-being through both mental and physical stimulation.]Lacy, R.C., and Alaks, G.: Effects of inbreeding on skeletal size and fluctuating asymmetry of Peromyscus polionotus mice. Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 125—133. [Measurements of size and asymmetry in morphology might provide early indications of damaging effects of inbreeding or other genetic changes in conservation breeding programs. The authors examined the effects of inbreeding on size and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in skull and limb bone measurements in experimental populations of three subspecies of P. polionotus mice that had previously been shown to suffer significant reductions in reproductive success when inbred. Inbreeding caused significant depression in mean size in two of the subspecies, but the effects were smaller in the third. Inbreeding caused an increase in FA of just one of eight bilateral traits in one subspecies. Inbreeding depression in size was more easily detected than the effects of inbreeding on FA. FA may be much less sensitive to inbreeding and other stresses than are more direct measures of fitness such as reproductive output and body mass growth rate. Given the large sample sizes and statistical complexity required to assess changes to typically very small levels of FA in captive populations, FA will not likely provide a useful measure of inbreeding depression in captive populations.]MacDonald, C.: Gestation and Neonate Development in the Northern Tree Shrew (Tupaia belangeri). Animal Keepers Forum, Vol. 40, No. 6 June 2013 pp. 284-285. [Breeding the Northern Tree Shrew at Roger Williams Park Zoo]Masters, K.: Botulism in juvenile Tasmanian devils. Thylacinus Vol. 37, No. 2 (2013), pp. 5—6. [Australian Reptile Park (Somersby, New South Wales). Two juveniles were seriously affected but eventually made a full recovery. It is speculated that their food had been infected by a flying insect.]Mendyk, R.W., Newton, A.L., and Baumer, M.: A retrospective study of mortality in varanid lizards (Reptilia: Squamata: Varanidae) at the Bronx Zoo: implications for husbandry and reproductive management in zoos. Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 152—162. [Varanid lizards have been maintained in zoos for more than a century, yet few studies to date have attempted to pinpoint significant health issues affecting their management or areas of captive husbandry that are in need of improvement. In an effort to identify and better understand some of the husbandry-related challenges and health issues specifically affecting varanids in zoos, this study examined mortality in 16 species maintained at the Bronx Zoo between 1968 and 2009. Out of 108 records reviewed, complete necropsy reports were available for 85 individuals. Infection-related processes including bacterial (15.3%), protozoal (12.9%), nematode (9.4%), and fungal (3.5%) infections accounted for the greatest number of deaths (47.1%). Non-infectious diseases including female reproductive disorders (7.1%), neoplasia (7.1%), gout (10.8%), and hemipenal prolapse (1.3%) accounted for 29.4% of deaths. Multiple disease agents were responsible for 5.9% of deaths, and a cause for death could not be determined for 17.7% of individuals. Reproductive complications accounted for 11.5% of female deaths, but were identified in 23.1% of females. Although not necessarily the cause of death, gout was present in 18.8% of individuals. Differences in mortality between species, genders, and origin (captive-bred vs. wild-caught) were also evaluated. The results of this study corroborate earlier findings that identify bacterial infections, neoplasia, female reproductive

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disorders, gout, and endoparasitism as major sources of mortality in captive varanids. In light of these results, the authors discuss potential etiologies and offer recommendations for improving captive management practices in zoos.]

Miller, A., Leighty, K.A., and Bettinger, T.L.: Behavioral analysis of tiger night housing practices. Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 189—194. [The systematic evaluation of changes in animal management practices is critical to ensuring the best possible welfare. The authors examined the behavioral impacts of intermittently housing six adult female tigers, who have been housed socially for much of their lives, individually overnight to allow for specialized care required by their advancing age. They looked for behavioral changes indicative of both positive and negative changes in welfare by monitoring time spent asleep, sleeping position, body position while awake, as well as pacing, door pounding, self-grooming, roaring, and chuffing while housed socially as compared to individually overnight. Housing condition did not affect time spent asleep, sleeping positions assumed or the more preferred body positions while awake. Further, pacing, door-pounding, and roaring were infrequent and not altered by housing condition. Self-grooming did increase when housed individually but no evidence of over-grooming was present and chuffing, a close proximity social vocalization, was more likely to occur when socially housed. Taken together, these findings support the notion that transitioning to individual housing as needed is a viable option for managing cats accustomed to being maintained in a social group.]Panayotova-Pencheva, M.S.: Parasites in captive animals: a review of studies in some European zoos. Der Zoologische Garten Vol. 82, No. 1—2 (2013), pp. 60—71. [There are a number of specific characteristics in the relationship between parasites and zoo animals, and many studies of this connection have been made. The author carried out a literature review of the parasitological investigations performed in some European zoos, and draws the following conclusions. Helminths represent the most frequently reported parasites, and the most widespread among the helminths are the nematodes, followed by the cestodes and trematodes. The nematodes are most often represented by those of the Ascaridida order, followed by Strongylida, Enoplida (Trichuridae, Capillariidae), Oxyurida and Rhabditida. Protozoa rank second after the nematodes. The ones affecting the gastrointestinal tract and developing without intermediary hosts are most often established (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Eimeria). Often parasites causing zoonoses are recorded in zoo animals: most often these are primates, with nematodes from the genera Trichuris, Ascaris, Strongylus and Enterobius being the most common zoonoses agents.]Parker, K.L., and Barboza, P.S.: Hand-rearing wild caribou calves for studies of nutritional ecology. Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 163—171. [Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are considered difficult to hand-rear in captivity because they are sensitive to the composition and volume of formulated milks. The authors used a strict feeding schedule and a commercial milk formula designed specifically for caribou to bottle-feed neonates captured from five wild caribou herds in Alaska. Under a feeding protocol adjusted for age and mass, the growth rates and body mass of 26 hand-reared caribou calves to weaning were similar to those of three maternally-nursed caribou. This protocol allows caretakers to hand-rear caribou that are as representative as possible of maternally-raised neonates.]Pauly, A.: Geburt von Palmflughund (Eidolon helvum) Zwillingen im Tierpark Berlin. (Birth of straw-coloured fruit bat twins at Tierpark Berlin.) Der Zoologische Garten Vol. 82, No. 1—2 (2013), pp. 96—97. [The infants were stillborn. Twin births are extremely rare in Megachiropterans.]

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Rodrigues, N., Correia, J., Pinho, R., Graça, J., Rodrigues, F., and Hirofumi, M.: Notes on the husbandry and long-term transportation of bull ray (Pteromylaeus bovinus) and dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus and Coryphaena equiselis). Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 222—229. [Bull rays and dolphinfish were collected south of Portugal. These animals hosted multiple parasites, namely Caligus spp., and underwent a variety of treatments to remove them. Of all treatments tested, hydrogen peroxide showed the best results, although only concentrations above 100 ppm were effective in parasite removal. These high concentrations, however, proved to be highly toxic for the fish and led to the loss of some animals, especially those which had been handled before treatment. A total of 14 bull rays were transported to Boulogne-Sur-Mer (France) by road and some animals were lost, which was attributed to excessive time in transit (>45 hr). In another transport, three bull rays and 10 dolphinfish were moved to Stralsund (Germany) by road and air. The mechanical wounds suffered by one of the rays during transport led to its death and, consequently, a deterioration of water quality in the tank containing two other conspecifics. This deterioration of water quality resulted in problems for the other two rays, and one perished approximately 48 hr after arrival. The authors conclude that dolphinfish can be transported with a low bioload for at least 27 hr, and bull rays should not undergo transports longer than 35 hr. Special attention must be taken to injured animals, since this can lead to a decrease in water quality and consequently affect other animals in the same transport tank.]Shelmidine, N., McAloose, D., and McCann, C.: Survival patterns and mortality in the North American population of silvered leaf monkeys (Trachypithecus cristatus). Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 177—188. [Understanding the causes of death associated with mortality rates (MR) can highlight relative susceptibility to intrinsic/extrinsic factors and differences between age and sex classes. Overall, life tables can provide insight into a species’ population dynamics. It is expected that the MR of this species will fit the general mammalian and primate trends of a U-shaped curve when graphed, that males will have a higher MR and shorter life expectancy than females and that infant survival will be higher in captivity than in wild populations. The authors’ results indicate that the North American captive population fits expected MR trends of a U-shaped curve. However, no differences in MR or life expectancy were found between the sexes. Infant survivorship did not differ from the wild or other leaf monkey populations (both captive and wild). The majority of infant deaths occurred on day 1 of life (52.8% of all infant deaths) and infant survivorship to 1 year was 66%. Neonates and infants died from trauma, juveniles from nutritional reasons, adults from non-infectious diseases and from post-surgical complications, and older adults from idiopathic diseases and non-infectious diseases. Only older adult males died from degenerative diseases (e.g. heart failure). In general, this captive population demonstrated some similar trends to those observed in mammalian and Old World monkey populations.]Suresh, C., Das, A., Katole, S., Saini, M., and Swarup, D.: Effect of concentrate supplementation on feed consumption, nutrient utilization and blood metabolite profile in captive spotted deer (Axis axis) fed oat (Avena sativa) and berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) fodders-based diet. Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 195—203.Szokalski, M.S., Litchfield, C.A., and Foster, W.K.: What can zookeepers tell us about interacting with big cats in captivity? Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 142—151. [Despite the potential dangers involved, interactions between zookeepers and captive big cats are increasing. Research with other animals, particularly non-human primates, suggests that closer interactions can be beneficial not only for the animals and their keepers, but also for zoo visitors. This study sought to determine whether the same benefits may apply to keeper—big

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cat interactions. An online questionnaire was completed by 86 keepers worldwide, assessing which types of handling (hands-on, protected, hands-off) they practice with their big cats, whether they practice training, and what their opinions of these methods are (through a series of rating scales and open-ended questions). Protected contact was the most frequently used handling method among this sample, particularly with lions, tigers, and cheetahs, and training was practised by the majority of participants with all big cat species. Participants perceived protected contact as the most beneficial handling practice for big cats, keepers, and visitors, noting how it can allow a close bond between keeper and cat, as well as its educational value for zoo visitors. Contrastingly, concerns were raised about the use of hands-on approaches, particularly with regard to the safety of all parties involved and the potential for wrong messages to be sent to visitors. Further, training was reported to be more beneficial for each group than any handling practice, yielding similar potential benefits as protected contact. Consistent with existing information with other species, these findings will be useful in directing objective research examining the use of different handling and training methods with big cats.]Thompson, R.C. 2013. Parasite zoonoses and wildlife: One health, spillover and human activity. Int J Parasitol. Elsevier Ltd. [This review examines parasite zoonoses and wildlife in the context of the One Health triad that encompasses humans, domestic animals, wildlife and the changing ecosystems in which they live. Human (anthropogenic) activities influence the flow of all parasite infections within the One Health triad and the nature and impact of resulting spillover events are examined. Examples of spillover from wildlife to humans and/or domestic animals, and vice versa, are discussed, as well as emerging issues, particularly the need for parasite surveillance of wildlife populations. Emphasis is given to Trypanosoma cruzi and related species in Australian wildlife, Trichinella, Echinococcus, Giardia, Baylisascaris, Toxoplasma and Leishmania.] Trumble, S.J., O’Neil, D., Cornick, L.A., Gulland, F.M.D., Castellini, M.A., and Atkinson, S.: Endocrine changes in harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) pups undergoing rehabilitation. Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 134—141. [Rehabilitating pinniped pups are often admitted to care centers as neonates and generally lack maternal investment and are in poor body condition. Upon admittance to a rehabilitation facility, pups are typically fed a milk replacement formula via gavage, which is switched to frozen fish upon weaning. While rehabilitation has been successful in terms of recovery and release, pre-weaning growth rates in captivity are consistently lower than in the wild. Indicators of stress (cortisol and total thyroxine; TT4), and standard morphometrics, of harbor seal pups in rehabilitation were determined for both pre-weaned and weaned pups. Hormone concentrations and standard morphometrics from pups in care were compared with free-ranging harbor seal pups. Pups in rehabilitation gained mass on both milk and fish diets. Pre-weaned pups had greater mean serum cortisol and similar TT4 concentrations to weaned pups. Free-ranging harbor seal pups were heavier and longer than pre-weaned and weaned pups in rehabilitation. The free-ranging pups had the lowest cortisol and highest TT4 concentrations of any of the pups. These results suggest that weaned pups that have undergone rehabilitation are not physiologically equivalent to free-ranging weaned pups. Additional research is needed regarding physiological changes in endocrine values during early development under captive care conditions. This information should be useful to marine mammal rehabilitation centers in their development of care protocols and release criteria for rehabilitating harbor seal pups.]

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Valuska, A.J., Leighty, K.A., Ferrie, G.M., Nichols, V.D., Tybor, C.L., Plassé, C., and Bettinger, T.L.: Attempted integration of multiple species of turaco into a mixed-species aviary. Zoo Biology Vol. 32, No. 2 (2013), pp. 216—221. [Mixed-species exhibits offer a variety of benefits but can be challenging to maintain due to difficulty in managing interspecific interactions. This is particularly true when little has been documented on the behavior of the species being mixed. This was the case when the authors attempted to house three species of turaco (family: Musophagidae) together with other species in a walk-through aviary. To learn more about the behavior of great blue turacos, violaceous turacos, and white-bellied gray go-away birds, they supplemented opportunistic keeper observations with systematic data collection on their behavior, location, distance from other birds, and visibility to visitors. Keepers reported high levels of aggression among turacos, usually initiated by a go-away bird or a violaceous turaco. Most aggression occurred during feedings or when pairs were defending nest sites. Attempts to reduce aggression by temporarily removing birds to holding areas and reintroducing them days later were ineffective. Systematic data collection revealed increased social behavior, including aggression, during breeding season in the violaceous turacos, as well as greater location fidelity. These behavioral cues may be useful in predicting breeding behavior in the future. Ultimately, it was only possible to house three species of turaco together for a short time, and prohibitively high levels of conflict occurred when pairs were breeding. The authors conclude that mixing these three turaco species is challenging and may not be the most appropriate housing situation for them, particularly during breeding season. However, changes in turaco species composition, sex composition, or exhibit design may result in more compatible mixed-species turaco groups.]van der Sande, L.: Managing hoof stock: the benefits of good handling facilities. Thylacinus Vol. 37, No. 2 (2013), pp. 2—5. [The author describes the purpose-built hoofstock handling facility at Hamilton Zoo (New Zealand), completed in January 2013. Prior to its construction, restraint of small hoofstock required either manual handling of the animals or immobilizing drugs. The need for such a facility had become apparent due to the inefficiency of previous restraint routines, as well as increased stress and risk of injury for both animals and keepers. The new facility is designed to facilitate stock movement with minimal keeper interference and is located on the way to and from the exhibit to ensure daily conditioning for the animals.]

Publishers of the periodicals listed:

Animal Keepers Forum, P.O. Box 535, Valley City, OH 44280, U.S.AInternational Journal for Parasitology, Elsevier Inc. 1600 John F Kennedy Boulevard Suite 1800 Philadelphia PA 19103-2879 U.S.AThylacinus, Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping, P.O. Box 248, Healesville, Victoria 3777, Australia.Zoo Biology, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158, U.S.A.Der Zoologische Garten, Elsevier GmbH, P.O. Box 100537, 07705 Jena, Germany.

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